Ferran Torres became a national hero when he scored the extra-time winner that secured Spain’s second World Cup at the weekend.
But away from the pitch, the Barcelona forward has quietly built a reputation for rescuing abandoned dogs and championing animal welfare.
The Valencia native, 26, has spent years helping stray animals, funding veterinary treatment, promoting adoption and using his social media following to highlight Spain’s growing abandoned pet crisis.
His commitment goes far beyond celebrity endorsements or one-off charity campaigns.
It all started with Rex
Torres’ love of dogs began with his childhood pet, Rex.
The dog’s death left such a profound impact on him that the Spain international later had Rex’s name and the date he entered his life tattooed beneath his left bicep.
His sister, Arantxa, honoured the family pet in her own way, tattooing Rex’s face across her back.
‘That dog had such a huge impact on our lives that we wanted him to keep bringing us together,’ Torres told NBC Sports Boston.
‘We’d take every dog home if we could’
Since then, Ferran and his sister have made rescuing stray dogs a regular part of their holidays.
Whenever they come across abandoned animals, they take them to the vet, pay for treatment and work to find foster families or permanent homes.
‘I think if it were up to my sister and me, we’d take every dog we found on the street home with us,’ Torres admitted.
From ambassador to dog owner
In 2021, Torres became the first ambassador for the Wild at Heart Foundation, an international charity dedicated to reducing the global population of abandoned dogs through rescue, sterilisation and adoption programmes.
It was through the charity’s founder, Nikki Tibbles, that Torres met Milo, a rescued puppy from Bulgaria who later became his own dog.
Tibbles has praised the footballer’s dedication, saying his involvement goes far beyond lending his name to the charity.
‘He’s not just a global superstar. He’s kind, compassionate and genuinely cares about animal welfare.’
Torres now shares his home with Milo, Minnie, an adopted Andalusian podenco, and Lluna, a Czechoslovakian Wolfdog.
Dogs help him switch off
The striker has often spoken about the emotional support his dogs provide after the pressure of elite football.
‘I’ve been surrounded by dogs since I was born,’ he has said. ‘I can’t remember life without them.’
After training sessions and matches, taking his dogs for walks has become one of his favourite ways to unwind.
Research supports those benefits.
Studies have shown that living with dogs can reduce stress, combat loneliness and improve overall wellbeing, while Spain’s Affinity Foundation has also found that pets strengthen social bonds and improve emotional health.
Helping after Valencia’s devastating floods
Torres also stepped up following the devastating DANA floods that struck the Valencia region in late 2024.
Rather than limiting his support to financial donations, the Spain international travelled to affected areas to volunteer alongside local residents.
Photos shared at the time showed him sweeping mud from streets and helping with the clean-up effort in communities devastated by the flooding.
