Rio Dulce, captained by Spanish designer, Iñigo, started as a passion project driven by his love for art and football. Iñigo and his team have coined the catch phrase, ‘Football as an Excuse’. Meaning, Rio Dulce Club does not care about what happens on the field; football is used as an excuse to create a community that connects new people and channels creative interests.

The Intent

“I want a club that in the future, regardless of where it goes, the project defines itself.”

Made up of a collective of diverse individuals who share a passion for football, Rio Dulce has grown into a community of designers, artists, music producers, business men and women, and even the casual ballers who just come for post-game beers. This hybrid environment, created by Iñigo and his team, provides a warm atmosphere that embraces the play-for-fun crowd, as well as Rio Dulce Club team members who compete in the local amateur league.

“I love the idea that in smaller football markets, like China or Hong Kong, football is becoming a religion. I thought, "Why not bring something like this to Spain?"

Iñigo credits his inspiration for the Rio Dulce Club and community to teams like Le Ballon (France) and Anar Football Club (China). With this drawn inspiration, Iñigo believes that the Rio Dulce team is capable of breaking away from traditional stereotypes often seen in Spain, and that football is more than just living with a 100% win-at-all-costs mentality. Real Betis star and Spain international, Héctor Bellerín, who has developed an identity for pushing the boundaries on what is seen as ‘typical’ in the game of football –through art and fashion, is a perfect embodiment of this and is also someone Iñigo is inspired by.

“We realized the importance of creating a kit that represents our identity.”

After the successful release of their first kit, Rio Dulce Club teamed up with Spanish brand Iscariot 12, owned by Ismael Silva, and also known for its considerable expertise in dressing urban artists, to continue molding the Club’s identity through their unique kits.

The new kit, an evolution of the previous design, features a stunning pattern, including intentionally designed squares to represent individuals stepping out of their comfort zones and connecting with others to build the real-life Rio Dulce Club community.

The pink color adds a playful and non-traditional touch to break away from the stereotypes of typical football clubs, aligning with the core values and vision of Rio Dulce.

“Our followers are a diverse group, from football enthusiasts to people who resonate with the creative aspect of the project.”

The reception of Rio Dulce’s new and old kits has been fantastic. Both kits, sponsored by Grosso Napoletano, have piqued the interest of opponents who have shown love for the Rio Dulce project, appreciating the creativity it brings to the football community.

The hope is that one day other teams and players around the country will pick up on the Rio Dulce style and pave the way for future collaborations and expansion.

Interviewed by: Daniel Cadena Jordan
Written & Translated by: Tyler Bozeman

Football as an Excuse: Rio Dulce Club

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