This is the moment two of Spain’s biggest World Cup stars were ‘paid their weight in tomatoes’ during a unique traditional ceremony in their hometown in Sevilla province.
Fabian Ruiz and Gavi were treated to a hero’s welcome when they returned to their village of Los Palacios y Villafranca on Tuesday afternoon – where the local authorities boasted to be ‘the only town in the world with three World Cup winners.’
The third winner is Jesus Navas, who lifted the World Cup with Spain in South Africa in 2010, and who also rode around with Ruiz and Gavi on Tuesday, as supporters lined the streets.
Thousands packed the town’s main square to welcome home the footballing icons, with supporters travelling from across Andalucia to catch a glimpse of the trio.
Paid in tomatoes
Los Palacios is famous for its tomatoes, producing around 16 million kilos every year, and the town has a unique tradition for celebrating its sporting heroes.
Each champion is publicly weighed inside the town hall before being presented with their weight in tomatoes.
This year, Gavi tipped the scales at 68kg, while Fabian weighed in at 85kg, earning them crates of the town’s famous produce.
The tradition has previously been carried out for Navas after each of his major international triumphs.
‘He took a football everywhere’
Among those watching proudly was Gavi’s grandfather, Manuel Gavira, who recalled that football had consumed his grandson’s life from the moment he could walk.
‘He even took a football to weddings,’ he laughed.
‘We’d ask him, ‘Where are you going with that ball?”
Gavi’s mother, Aurora, stood alongside Fabian’s mother, Chari, as they watched the celebrations unfold.
‘The best trophy is my people’s love’
Speaking to the crowd, Gavi admitted he feared he would miss the World Cup after suffering a serious knee injury last year.
‘I had a very difficult time,’ he said.
He also described Los Palacios as ‘the best place in the world.’
Fabian, meanwhile, was asked about growing calls for him to win this year’s Ballon d’Or after helping Paris Saint-Germain lift the Champions League before starring in Spain’s World Cup triumph.
‘Who wouldn’t like to win the Ballon d’Or?’ he replied.
‘But after winning the Champions League with PSG and the World Cup with Spain, I couldn’t ask for anything more.
‘If the Ballon d’Or comes, it would be an honour. But the most beautiful trophy is the love of my people.’
Despite becoming global stars, Fabian, Gavi and Navas have all kept close ties to Los Palacios, where their families still live and where they first learned to play football in the town’s local youth clubs.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
