World Cup winners Ruiz, Gavi honoured with 150kg of tomatoes

Spain's World Cup-winning midfielders, Fabián Ruiz and Gavi, received a unique tribute from their hometown of Los Palacios y Villafranca following their victory in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The town, located south of Seville, celebrated the players with a traditional gift of tomatoes, with the amount presented equaling their respective body weights.

During an official reception at the town hall on Wednesday, both players, adorned with their World Cup gold medals, were welcomed by local officials and a large crowd of supporters. Ruiz, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain, and Barcelona's Gavi stepped onto weighing scales to determine the quantity of tomatoes they would receive. Ruiz, weighing 85kg, was presented with 85kg of tomatoes, while Gavi received 68.5kg based on his weight. This gesture continues a local tradition of celebrating outstanding athletes from the community.

Local officials described the tomato tribute as a "hallmark of the municipality for honouring its great athletes." This is not the first time Ruiz has received such an honor; he and former Spain winger Jesús Navas, also from Los Palacios y Villafranca, were previously given the same tomato tribute after Spain's Euro 2024 victory. Navas was the town's first World Cup winner in 2010.

Further recognitions are planned for the football stars. The town council announced that football fields will be renamed after Ruiz and Gavi. Additionally, the existing sports pavilion, already named after Navas, will continue to honor the former Manchester City player. The council also revealed plans to erect a monument dedicated to the three champions from Los Palacios y Villafranca, aiming to inspire future generations.

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a hallmark of the municipality for honouring its great athletes.