Spain secured the 2026 FIFA World Cup title with an extra-time goal by Ferran Torres, defeating Argentina. Among the celebrations, Spanish midfielders Fabian Ruiz and Gavi, both natives of Los Palacios y Villafranca, received an unusual reward from their hometown: their body weight in tomatoes.
The city of Los Palacios y Villafranca, located in the province of Seville, is known for its tomato production. According to UPI, rather than offering a symbolic commemorative tomato, the town held an event at the town hall where Ruiz and Gavi stepped onto scales to determine the amount of tomatoes they would receive.
The players posed with over 300 pounds of tomatoes, a substantial quantity that raises practical questions about storage. As one remark put it, "Hey, here's 200 pounds of tomatoes, champ," followed by humorous reflections such as, "I guess I can keep some of them in the guest bathroom tub..." and "What are you gonna do with your tomatoes?"
This tradition highlights a unique local way of honoring champions, blending cultural pride with agricultural heritage.
Sources
- Fox News Latest (Photo by Joaquin Corchero/Europa Press via Getty Images)
- UPI attribution on Seville's tomato production
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