Ruiz & Gavi's reward for World Cup win... 150kg of tomatoes

What the report says

BBC Sport reported that Spain midfielders Fabian Ruiz and Gavi were given an unusual hometown tribute after being part of the national team that won the World Cup in North America: their weight in tomatoes. The players returned on Wednesday to Los Palacios y Villafranca, a town south of Seville with fewer than 40,000 residents, for an official reception at the town hall.

Ruiz, who plays for Paris St-Germain and started Spain’s final against Argentina, and Barcelona’s Gavi wore their winners’ medals as they were welcomed by local officials and a large crowd. During the ceremony, both stood on scales to determine the tomato gift: Ruiz is set to receive 85kg, while Gavi will receive 68.5kg. Local officials described the gesture as a municipal tradition for celebrating standout athletes.

Former Spain winger Jesus Navas, also from Los Palacios y Villafranca, attended the event. BBC Sport noted that Navas was the first player from the town to win the World Cup, doing so with Spain in 2010. Navas and Ruiz had previously received tomatoes after Spain’s Euro 2024 success.

The town is also planning more permanent honours. Its sports pavilion is already named after Navas, and football fields will now be renamed for Ruiz and Gavi. According to a town council statement cited by BBC Sport, officials also intend to promote a monument dedicated to the three local World Cup champions, underlining the town’s pride in athletes it sees as role models for younger generations.