Fabián Ruiz and Gavi receive tomatoes equal to body weight after World Cup win

July 23, 2026 • 0 • min read

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Fabián Ruiz and Gavi receive tomatoes equal to body weight after World Cup win

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Fabián Ruiz and Gavi were awarded tomatoes equal to their body weight.
The tradition began after Jesús Navas' World Cup win in 2010.
The town will rename football pitches and build a monument in their honour.

Spain's 2026 FIFA World Cup triumph has brought countless celebrations across the country, but few have been as memorable as the welcome home received by Fabián Ruiz and Gavi.

After helping Spain edge Argentina 1-0 in Sunday's World Cup final, the two midfielders returned to their hometown of Los Palacios y Villafranca in Andalusia, where they were honoured with one of Spanish football's most unusual traditions by receiving tomatoes equal to their body weight.

The celebration took place during an official reception at the town hall, where hundreds of supporters gathered to welcome the World Cup winners home.

Wearing their gold medals, Ruiz and Gavi were greeted by local officials before stepping onto weighing scales to determine how many tomatoes they would receive.

Ruiz tipped the scales at around 85 kilograms, whilst Gavi weighed approximately 68.5 kilograms, meaning each player was awarded an identical weight in the town's famous tomatoes.

😂🍅 FABIÁN Y GAVI RECIBEN SU PESO EN TOMATES DE LOS PALACIOS

⭐️ GAVI: 68,5 KG
⭐️ FABIÁN RUIZ: 84,5 KG

👏🏼 El alcalde repite la iniciativa que les ha hecho conseguir a 3 campeones del mundo.

📹 @AlvarooSVQ pic.twitter.com/lagXwMzy0k
— Zona Mixta (@ZonaMixta__) July 21, 2026

A tradition rooted in World Cup history

The quirky custom dates back to Spain's first FIFA World Cup victory in 2010.

Former Spain winger Jesús Navas, who also hails from Los Palacios y Villafranca, became the town's first World Cup champion and inspired the tradition of rewarding local sporting heroes with tomatoes matching their body weight.

Since then, the ceremony has become a cherished part of the municipality's celebrations. Navas was honoured again following Spain's UEFA Euro 2012 success, whilst both Navas and Ruiz received the same tribute after Spain lifted the UEFA Euro 2024 trophy.

Now, with Spain crowned world champions once again, Ruiz and Gavi have joined the growing list of hometown legends recognised through the unique tradition.

More than just tomatoes

The honours extended well beyond crates of tomatoes.

Both players were presented with banners featuring Tomatito, the mascot of the 1982 FIFA World Cup hosted by Spain, adding another symbolic touch to the ceremony.

Local authorities also announced that football pitches in the town will be renamed after both midfielders. The facilities will officially become the Fabián Ruiz Football Field and the Pablo Martín Páez Gavira Football Field, ensuring their achievements are permanently recognised.

The town council also confirmed plans to build a monument celebrating the municipality's three World Cup champions: Jesús Navas, Fabián Ruiz and Gavi.

According to the council, the monument will serve as a lasting tribute to athletes who have become role models for future generations through both their sporting success and personal example.

A homecoming to remember

Winning the FIFA World Cup usually brings medals, prize money and lifelong recognition.

For Ruiz and Gavi, however, it also meant returning home to one of football's most distinctive celebrations.

In a town of fewer than 40,000 residents, a truckload of tomatoes has become more than a local delicacy - it is a symbol of pride, community and sporting excellence.

Thanks to another World Cup triumph, Los Palacios y Villafranca has once again celebrated its hometown heroes in a way few places in the world could match.