Spanish champions Ruiz and Gavi receive weight in tomatoes

Two Spanish World Cup champions were honored by their small hometown with a unique agricultural tribute this week. Midfielders Fabián Ruiz and Gavi received their body weight in tomatoes from the municipality of Los Palacios y Villafranca, continuing a local tradition for celebrating championship-winning athletes from the community.

The players returned to the town, located south of Seville, for an official reception at the town hall on Wednesday, July 22. Both arrived wearing their gold medals from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which Spain won by defeating Argentina 1-0 in the final on Sunday, July 19. As part of the ceremony, Ruiz and Gavi stepped onto scales to determine their tomato allotments. Ruiz, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain, weighed 84 kilograms (185 pounds) and will receive an equivalent mass of tomatoes. Barcelona's Gavi, whose full name is Pablo Martín Páez Gavira, weighed 68 kilograms (150 pounds).

The tradition originated in the town 16 years ago, following Spain's first World Cup victory in 2010. That win was celebrated by Jesús Navas, another native of Los Palacios y Villafranca, who was the first local player to win the tournament. Navas attended this week's...