Full Breakdown
Spain’s World Cup Heroes Honored with Tomatoes and Stadium Renamings in Los Palacios y Villafranca
7/22/2026, 9:29:41 PM
The ceremony and its key moments
After Spain’s 1-0 World Cup final win in North America, midfielders Fabián Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain) and Pablo Páez Gavira “Gavi” (Barcelona) returned to their hometown of Los Palacios y Villafranca on Tuesday. The municipal council welcomed them at the Plaza de Andalucía and City Hall, where they were weighed and presented with tomatoes equal to their body weight. The weigh-in was followed by the signing of the town’s Book of Honors, the unveiling of a monument sketch, and a balcony greeting to residents.
Tradition of “weight-in-tomatoes”
Los Palacios y Villafranca, a 35,000-person town in Andalusia known for its tomato production, began the practice in 2010 after Jesús Navas helped Spain win the World Cup in South Africa. Navas received his own tomato gift then, establishing a local ritual that now honors three world champions from the same community.
Numbers and new landmarks
- Ruiz weighed 84 kg (185 lb); Gavi weighed 68 kg (150 lb).
- The Las Nieves Cooperative supplied roughly 140 kg of “bombón colorao” tomatoes for the presentation.
- The town’s Marismas and San Sebastián stadiums have been officially renamed “Fabián Ruiz” and “Pablo Páez Gavira ‘Gavi’.”
- A permanent monument honoring Navas, Ruiz and Gavi will be installed on Juan José Vaquero Avenue.
Verbatim quote
“In the past people were surprised about footballers being talented and skilled and being good people. We are the most united team and that is thanks to having people with solidarity, values.” — Argentina. He — Argentina. He
The ceremony underscores Los Palacios y Villafranca’s unique way of celebrating its football heritage, linking agricultural pride with the achievements of its three World Cup champions.
