Tomato tribute: Hometown heroes Gavi and Fabian Ruiz receive bumper harvest to match their weight

In a delightfully quirky twist on the traditional sporting hero’s welcome, Spanish midfield stars Gavi and Fabián Ruiz were presented with a surprisingly weighty gift by the authorities of their shared hometown – their exact body weight in fresh, locally grown tomatoes.

The Los Palacios y Villafranca city council orchestrated the unique tribute to honor the duo following Spain’s recent international triumph, delivering 68.5 kilograms of the region’s finest produce to 21-year-old prodigy Gavi, and 84.5 kilograms to the seasoned midfielder Fabián Ruiz. In total, the two footballers walked away with a whopping 153 kilograms of juicy, vine-ripened tomatoes.

The choice of gift was no accident. Nestled in the province of Seville, Los Palacios y Villafranca is affectionately known as the “tomato capital” of the region, with its fertile farmlands supplying a significant portion of Spain’s domestic produce. By swapping the usual commemorative plaques or keys to the city for crates of tomatoes, local officials aimed to tie the players’ global success firmly back to their agricultural roots.

“We wanted to give them something that truly represents the sweat and labor of our land,” said Mayor Juan Manuel Valle during the presentation. “These tomatoes are the fruit of our harvest, just like their victories are the fruit of their dedication. It is our way of reminding them that no matter how far they go, the soil of their homeland will always nourish them.”

The tomatoes were piled high in traditional wooden crates and delivered during a massive public celebration held in the town’s Plaza de España. Thousands of locals turned out to cheer for their favorite sons, waving flags and sampling freshly sliced tomatoes drizzled with local olive oil.

The players were reportedly thrilled by the unconventional gesture. Fabián Ruiz, 28, was seen laughing and posing for photos with his 84.5-kg haul, jokingly telling reporters that he would need to clear out an entire room in his house just to store them. “I’ve never been weighed in tomatoes before, but I have to say—this is the best-smelling prize I’ve ever received,” he quipped.

Younger teammate Gavi, known for his tenacity on the pitch, expressed his gratitude to the town council and vowed not to let the fresh produce go to waste. According to his representatives, the 68.5 kilograms of tomatoes will be split between his immediate family and a local food bank in Seville, ensuring that the tribute feeds the very community that shaped his journey from a local academy prospect to an international star.

While most footballers return home with gold medals and trophy replicas, Gavi and Fabián Ruiz have gone back with something far more perishable—and far more symbolic. As one elderly local farmer put it, “These boys may earn millions abroad, but here, we measure their value in kilograms. And right now, they weigh a fortune.”