Spain’s World Cup triumph brought medals, global recognition and record prize money, but for Fabián Ruiz and Gavi, one of the most memorable rewards came hundreds of miles from the New York New Jersey Stadium.A few days after helping Spain defeat Argentina 1-0 after extra time to win the FIFA World Cup 2026, the two midfielders returned to their hometown of Los Palacios y Villafranca, where they were welcomed with one of the most unusual traditions of Spanish football – receiving their own body weight in tomatoes.The couple were honored during an official civic reception after returning to Los Palacios y Villafranca, a town of less than 40,000 residents located south of Seville, which has become synonymous with producing elite Spanish soccer.
A hometown party like any other
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Fabián Ruiz and Barcelona star Gavi walked away with World Cup winners’ medals after playing key roles in Spain’s successful campaign in North America.Ruiz started the World Cup final against Argentina, while Gavi featured in another impressive international tournament as Luis de la Fuente’s side took Spain’s second Men’s World Cup title thanks to Ferran Torres’ 106th-minute winner in New Jersey.As part of the ceremony, he did the traditional weighing of the athletes, where they were presented with their weight in the most emblematic product of local agriculture. The Association of Tomato Producers Los Palacios, has joined the Municipality in organizing the tax.Ruiz tipped the scales at 85 kilograms, while Gavi weighed 68.5 kilograms, with both players receiving those exact amounts in Bombón. The colored tomato. The gesture has become a sign of the municipality in recognizing its most distinguished athletes.
A tradition that dates back to the golden generation of Spain
The ceremony also featured former Spanish winger Jesús Navas, who became the first Los Palacios and Villafranca footballer to win the FIFA World Cup when Spain lifted the trophy in South Africa in 2010.Navas had previously received the same tomato tribute after helping Spain win Euro 2024, alongside Ruiz.The city continued to expand its tributes to its football heroes.The local sports pavilion already bears the names of Jesús Navas and Fabián Ruiz, while officials have confirmed that the football pitches will also be renamed in honor of Gavi following Spain’s latest World Cup success.In a statementthe city council also revealed long-term plans to commemorate all three champions.“In addition, the municipality promotes the construction of a monument dedicated to the three champions of Los Palacios.”The statement adds: “In this way, the municipal council wants to pay a permanent tribute to three athletes who represent the pride of an entire city and who, with their sporting and human trajectory, have become models for many generations of children and young people.”
Spain’s triumph also brings a greater financial reward
The celebrations come after Spain secured one of the most lucrative prizes in international football.Ferran Torres’ extra strike against Argentina not only clinched Spain’s second World Cup title but also earned the Real Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) FIFA winners’ prize of $51 million.According to AS, The Spanish players will each receive a substantial share of that prize money under a bonus deal negotiated between the team captains and the RFEF before the tournament.
Spain’s Rodri (16) lifts the trophy as Spain celebrates after winning the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Unlike federations that pay out after each elimination round, FIFA awards a single payment based on a team’s final final position.Just reaching the World Cup final had already guaranteed Spain 34 million dollars. Under the deal, 40 percent of that amount would have been distributed among the players, creating a bonus pool of about $13.6 million, or just over $523,000 per player before taxes on the 26-man squad.The victory in the final increased these figures even more.Under the same agreement, the players are entitled to 45 percent of the FIFA winners’ prize money, creating a dressing room bonus pool worth about $22.95 million.That means each member of the 26-player Spanish squad is expected to receive around $882,700 (€760,000) before tax, according to AS.The rest of the award will remain with the RFEF, helping to cover the federation’s World Cup expenses and also be reinvested in the development of Spanish football, including strengthening the federation’s infrastructure and supporting grassroots programs throughout the country.For Ruiz and Gavi, however, the return home showed that not every reward is measured in prize money. Alongside their World Cup medals and size bonuses, they returned to the city where their footballing journeys began to receive a distinctly local honour, one measured in kilograms of tomatoes rather than trophies.