World Cup 2026: Fabian Ruiz and Gavi weigh in on tomatoes to win

Winning the World Cup brings many rewards for players… but getting your own body weight in tomatoes is definitely more unusual.

That’s what Spanish midfielders Fabian Ruiz and Gavi were presented with when they returned to their hometown after being part of the victorious Spain team in North America.

The pair came from Los Palacios y Villafranca – a town south of Seville with a population of less than 40,000 – and returned there on Wednesday for an official reception at the town hall.

Paris Saint-Germain’s Ruiz, who started the final against Argentina, and Barcelona’s Gavi wore their gold medals as they were greeted by Los Palacios e Villafranca officials and a huge crowd.

As part of the ceremony to honor their achievement, they both stepped on a weighing scale to determine the amount of tomatoes they would each be given.

Ruiz will take 85kg and Gavi 68.5kg in a tradition that local officials say has “become a hallmark of the municipality to honor its great athletes”.

Former Spain winger Jesus Navas also joined as he became the first Los Palacios y Villafranca player to win the World Cup, when he did so in 2010.

Ruiz was also gifted a tomato after former Manchester City forward Navas and Spain won Euro 2024.

The city’s sports pavilion is named after Navas and Ruiz, and Gavi will now have a football field named after them in tribute to their achievements.

“In addition, the town hall will promote the construction of a monument dedicated to the three champions of Los Palacios,” A statement from the municipality said., outsider

“Thus, the City Council wishes to pay permanent tribute to three athletes who represent the pride of an entire city and who, with their sporting and humanitarian trajectory, have become role models for generations of children and young people.”