World Champions Fabian Ruiz and Gavi Receive Peculiar Hometown Reward

Following their triumph at the 2026 World Cup, Spanish internationals Fabian Ruiz and Gavi were honored on Tuesday in their hometown of Los Palacios y Villafranca, located in the autonomous community of Andalusia.

To commemorate their World Cup victory, the "La Roja" midfielders received a rather unique gift. The champions were awarded the equivalent of their body weight in... tomatoes.

This choice is no coincidence, as Los Palacios y Villafranca, with a population of around 40,000, and indeed the entire region, is renowned for producing this particular vegetable, known for its distinctive quality and flavor. The town is situated 30 kilometers south of Seville.

Dressed in red jerseys, Fabian Ruiz and Gavi appeared with their gold medals at a special ceremony before residents, local officials, and fans gathered under a banner featuring their likenesses. The PSG player and his Barcelona counterpart delivered brief speeches of gratitude before being ceremonially weighed. The scales showed Fabian at 84.5 kilograms and Gavi at 68.5 kilograms. They will each receive that respective quantity of tomatoes.

Surrounded by their families, the "La Roja" players posed smiling with numerous crates filled with the vegetable (editor's note: although botanically, a tomato is actually a fruit). It remains to be seen how the two intend to consume them during their vacation. With mozzarella, olive oil, or in gazpacho, Spanish media playfully suggest.

Interestingly, this isn't the first time Los Palacios y Villafranca has rewarded its local champions in this manner. After their success at Euro 2024, Fabian and then-national team player Jesus Navas, also a native of the town, received the exact same prize – tomatoes.