Spain midfielders Fabian Ruiz and Pablo Paez Gavira, better known as Gavi, received an unusual hometown tribute after helping the national team lift the FIFA World Cup last week. The two players were rewarded with tomatoes equal to their body weight, celebrating a long-standing local tradition. Ruiz and Gavi, both natives of Los Palacios y Villafranca in Spain's Andalucia region, returned to their hometown on Tuesday following nationwide celebrations in Madrid. More than two million fans filled the streets of the Spanish capital to celebrate Spain's second FIFA World Cup title.&nbsp;The Los Palacios y Villafranca City Council organised a grand civic reception for the pair, recognising their achievements with the town's distinctive tradition of gifting local tomatoes matching each player's weight. Local reports also revealed plans to rename two football stadiums in their honour. The current Marismas Stadium will become ‘Fabian Ruiz’, while San Sebastian Stadium will be renamed "Pablo Paez Gavira 'Gavi'".&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/icc-confirms-the-oval-to-host-2027-world-test-championship-final-check-dates-team-standings-inside-1784800921266">ICC confirms The Oval to host 2027 World Test Championship Final. Check dates, team standings inside</a><h2>Watch the video here</h2>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">😂🍅 FABIÁN Y GAVI RECIBEN SU PESO EN TOMATES DE LOS PALACIOS ⭐️ GAVI: 68,5 KG ⭐️ FABIÁN RUIZ: 84,5 KG 👏🏼 El alcalde repite la iniciativa que les ha hecho conseguir a 3 campeones del mundo. 📹 <a href="https://x.com/AlvarooSVQ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AlvarooSVQ</a> <a href="https://t.co/lagXwMzy0k">pic.twitter.com/lagXwMzy0k</a>&mdash; Zona Mixta (@ZonaMixta__) <a href="https://x.com/ZonaMixta__/status/2079638249476137157?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Ruiz started his football career at Los Palacios CF, while Gavi joined the youth ranks of La Liara Balompie at the age of six. The two clubs currently play their home matches at the Marismas and San Sebastian stadiums, respectively. As part of the celebrations, Ruiz and Gavi are also expected to unveil a model of a monument that will be permanently installed on Juan Jose Vaquero Avenue. The tribute will honour both players alongside former Spain winger Jesus Navas, a member of the country's 2010 FIFA World Cup-winning squad.&nbsp;Spain secured their FIFA World Cup title with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Argentina in the final last week. Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal, sealing the championship for La Furia Roja.

Spain midfielders Fabian Ruiz and Gavi received a unique hometown honour after the FIFA World Cup, earning tomatoes equal to their body weight and stadiums renamed in their honour

Spain midfielders Fabian Ruiz and Pablo Paez Gavira, better known as Gavi, received an unusual hometown tribute after helping the national team lift the FIFA World Cup last week. The two players were rewarded with tomatoes equal to their body weight, celebrating a long-standing local tradition. Ruiz and Gavi, both natives of Los Palacios y Villafranca in Spain's Andalucia region, returned to their hometown on Tuesday following nationwide celebrations in Madrid. More than two million fans filled the streets of the Spanish capital to celebrate Spain's second FIFA World Cup title. The Los Palacios y Villafranca City Council organised a grand civic reception for the pair, recognising their achievements with the town's distinctive tradition of gifting local tomatoes matching each player's weight. Local reports also revealed plans to rename two football stadiums in their honour. The current Marismas Stadium will become ‘Fabian Ruiz’, while San Sebastian Stadium will be renamed "Pablo Paez Gavira 'Gavi'". Also Read: ICC confirms The Oval to host 2027 World Test Championship Final. Check dates, team standings inside Watch the video here

Spain's Fabian Ruiz and Gavi were honoured with tomatoes equal to their weight as their hometown celebrated Spain's FIFA World Cup victory over Argentina

Spain's World Cup stars Fabian Ruiz and Gavi rewarded with their weight in tomatoes. Here's why

Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, Nico Williams and Dani Olmo all scored as Spain came from behind to beat surprise packages Georgia 4-1 at Euro 2024 on Sunday and set up a blockbuster quarter-final against hosts Germany.

Robin Le Normand's own goal gave Georgia a shock lead in the 18th minute of this last-16 tie to send their noisy supporters wild in Cologne.

It was the first goal Spain had conceded at the competition but they came back to equalise six minutes before the interval courtesy of Manchester City midfielder Rodri.

Ruiz then headed home in the 51st minute and Williams ran through for the third before substitute Olmo made sure of the win as La Roja stay on track to become European champions for the fourth time.

"There are things we need to improve and at some points in the game we were not forceful enough, but in general terms we were superior," said Rodri.

Spain now take on Germany in the last eight in Stuttgart on Friday in a repeat of the Euro 2008 final, which they won 1-0 to begin their golden era of dominance in international football.

"Germany might be playing at home but we are not afraid. We are here to win, not just to play well or give off a good image," Rodri added.

Luis de la Fuente's team are looking to bring back the glory days and they were expected to brush Georgia aside here.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/football/euro-2024-jude-bellingham-harry-kane-conjure-late-magic-to-keep-england-alive-with-tense-r16-win-vs-slovakia-736586">Euro 2024: Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane conjure late magic to keep England alive with tense R16 win vs Slovakia</a>

They would have ultimately won by a far greater margin had they converted more of their chances, with 16-year-old winger Lamine Yamal squandering several opportunities in his attempt to become the youngest ever goal-scorer at the Euros.

Georgia are ranked 74th in the world, 66 places below Spain. Willy Sagnol's team lost twice to Spain in qualifying, going down 7-1 at home and 3-1 away.

Yet they still qualified for a first major tournament and then made it to the knockout stages with a stunning 2-0 win over Portugal. They now go home with their heads held high despite eventually crumbling here.

"I am not saying we are disappointed but we are a bit sad because we lost," Sagnol said. "I am sure in some days we will realise exactly what we have done and the happiness will come back very quickly."

They have a lively attacking partnership between Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Georges Mikautadze that is a danger for any opponent, and Giorgi Mamardashvili has been one of the best goalkeepers at the tournament.

Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, Nico Williams and Dani Olmo all scored as Spain came from behind to beat surprise packages Georgia 4-1 at Euro 2024 on Sunday and set up a blockbuster quarter-final against hosts Germany.

Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, Nico Williams and Dani Olmo all scored as Spain came from behind to beat surprise packages Georgia 4-1 at Euro 2024 on Sunday and set up a blockbuster quarter-final against hosts Germany. Robin Le Normand's own goal gave Georgia a shock lead in the 18th minute of this last-16 tie to send their noisy supporters wild in Cologne. It was the first goal Spain had conceded at the competition but they came back to equalise six minutes before the interval courtesy of Manchester City midfielder Rodri. Ruiz then headed home in the 51st minute and Williams ran through for the third before substitute Olmo made sure of the win as La Roja stay on track to become European champions for the fourth time. "There are things we need to improve and at some points in the game we were not forceful enough, but in general terms we were superior," said Rodri. Spain now take on Germany in the last eight in Stuttgart on Friday in a repeat of the Euro 2008 final, which they won 1-0 to begin their golden era of dominance in international football. "Germany might be playing at home but we are not afraid. We are here to win, not just to play well or give off a good image," Rodri added. Luis de la Fuente's team are looking to bring back the glory days and they were expected to brush Georgia aside here. ALSO READ: Euro 2024: Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane conjure late magic to keep England alive with tense R16 win vs Slovakia They would have ultimately won by a far greater margin had they converted more of their chances, with 16-year-old winger Lamine Yamal squandering several opportunities in his attempt to become the youngest ever goal-scorer at the Euros. Georgia are ranked 74th in the world, 66 places below Spain. Willy Sagnol's team lost twice to Spain in qualifying, going down 7-1 at home and 3-1 away. Yet they still qualified for a first major tournament and then made it to the knockout stages with a stunning 2-0 win over Portugal. They now go home with their heads held high despite eventually crumbling here. "I am not saying we are disappointed but we are a bit sad because we lost," Sagnol said. "I am sure in some days we will realise exactly what we have done and the happiness will come back very quickly." They have a lively attacking partnership between Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Georges Mikautadze that is a danger for any opponent, and Giorgi Mamardashvili has been one of the best goalkeepers at the tournament.

Euro 2024: Spain thrash Georgia in R16 to set up blockbuster quarterfinal clash with Germany

Spanish midfielder Fabian Ruiz and a late Davide Biraschi own goal rescued a 2-1 win for title-chasing Napoli in a rain-hit Serie A game at Genoa.

Ivorian Christian Kouame had shocked Carlo Ancelotti's side by opening the scoring after 20 minutes in a match which was suspended for 13 minutes around the hour mark because of torrential rain on Saturday.

But substitute Ruiz pulled Napoli level immediately after play resumed, with defender Biraschi piling the misery on the hosts by turning into his own net three minutes from time.

Napoli move up into second place, three points behind champions Juventus who travel to AC Milan on Sunday, and three ahead of third-placed Inter Milan who play at Bergamo side Atalanta.

"This success is worth even more than three points, because it was achieved on a difficult pitch made heavy by the rain," said Brazilian midfielder Allan.

"We won and that's what is important. It gives us peace of mind before the (international) break."&nbsp;

Ancelotti's side proved wasteful in the first half with Lorenzo Insigne hitting the post and Poland's Arkadiusz Milik being denied in front of goal.

Dries Mertens started on the bench, with Polish pair Milik and Krzysztof Piatek up front for the visitors.

Insigne rattled the post on 11 minutes with Argentina defender Cristian Romero deflecting away a Zielinski strike.

But Kouame broke the deadlock from a Romulo cross, rising highest to nod in his second goal this season.

Home goalkeeper Andrei Radu punched a dangerous Insigne cross off the head of Jose Callejon, before denying Milik with 10 minutes left of the first half.

Ancelotti's side had already lost in Genoa this season when they fell 3-0 to Sampdoria, and another defeat was looming as the rain came down.

But Ruiz found a way through when Allan crossed to Mertens whose clever backheel in the penalty area set up the Spaniard to beat Radu.

Biraschi worsened Genoa's current crisis amid a scramble in his own goalmouth, as they slipped to a third straight loss after last week's 5-0 thrashing by Inter.

"It hurts to lose to a late own goal," said Genoa coach Ivan Juric.

Gervinho strikes for Parma&nbsp; 
==============================

Earlier, promoted Parma came away with a 2-1 win from Torino to move level on 17 points with their rivals for a Europa League spot, who sit in eighth.

Walter Mazzarri's side are unbeaten since losing to Napoli on September 23.

Former Arsenal winger Gervinho scored his third goal this season after a defensive mix-up from Armando Izzo and Cameroonian Nicolas Nkoulou saw the Ivorian surge forward with a brilliant solo run after nine minutes, with Roberto Inglese adding a 25th-minute second.

Daniele Baselli pulled one back for Torino eight minutes before the break.

Cagliari came from two goals down to grab a point at SPAL.

Andrea Petagna headed in after less than three minutes for SPAL with captain Mirco Antenucci drilling in the second on 71 minutes.

But Cagliari battled back and five minutes later were level as Leonardo Pavoletti headed in a corner and Artur Ionita equalised with a quick turn and shot.&nbsp;

Spanish midfielder Fabian Ruiz and a late Davide Biraschi own goal rescued a 2-1 win for title-chasing Napoli in a rain-hit Serie A game at Genoa. Ivorian Christian Kouame had shocked Carlo Ancelotti's side by opening the scoring after 20 minutes in a match which was suspended for 13 minutes around the hour mark because of torrential rain on Saturday.

Spanish midfielder Fabian Ruiz and a late Davide Biraschi own goal rescued a 2-1 win for title-chasing Napoli in a rain-hit Serie A game at Genoa. Ivorian Christian Kouame had shocked Carlo Ancelotti's side by opening the scoring after 20 minutes in a match which was suspended for 13 minutes around the hour mark because of torrential rain on Saturday. But substitute Ruiz pulled Napoli level immediately after play resumed, with defender Biraschi piling the misery on the hosts by turning into his own net three minutes from time. Napoli move up into second place, three points behind champions Juventus who travel to AC Milan on Sunday, and three ahead of third-placed Inter Milan who play at Bergamo side Atalanta. "This success is worth even more than three points, because it was achieved on a difficult pitch made heavy by the rain," said Brazilian midfielder Allan. "We won and that's what is important. It gives us peace of mind before the (international) break." Ancelotti's side proved wasteful in the first half with Lorenzo Insigne hitting the post and Poland's Arkadiusz Milik being denied in front of goal. Dries Mertens started on the bench, with Polish pair Milik and Krzysztof Piatek up front for the visitors. Insigne rattled the post on 11 minutes with Argentina defender Cristian Romero deflecting away a Zielinski strike. But Kouame broke the deadlock from a Romulo cross, rising highest to nod in his second goal this season. Home goalkeeper Andrei Radu punched a dangerous Insigne cross off the head of Jose Callejon, before denying Milik with 10 minutes left of the first half. Ancelotti's side had already lost in Genoa this season when they fell 3-0 to Sampdoria, and another defeat was looming as the rain came down. But Ruiz found a way through when Allan crossed to Mertens whose clever backheel in the penalty area set up the Spaniard to beat Radu. Biraschi worsened Genoa's current crisis amid a scramble in his own goalmouth, as they slipped to a third straight loss after last week's 5-0 thrashing by Inter. "It hurts to lose to a late own goal," said Genoa coach Ivan Juric. Gervinho strikes for Parma ============================== Earlier, promoted Parma came away with a 2-1 win from Torino to move level on 17 points with their rivals for a Europa League spot, who sit in eighth. Walter Mazzarri's side are unbeaten since losing to Napoli on September 23. Former Arsenal winger Gervinho scored his third goal this season after a defensive mix-up from Armando Izzo and Cameroonian Nicolas Nkoulou saw the Ivorian surge forward with a brilliant solo run after nine minutes, with Roberto Inglese adding a 25th-minute second. Daniele Baselli pulled one back for Torino eight minutes before the break. Cagliari came from two goals down to grab a point at SPAL. Andrea Petagna headed in after less than three minutes for SPAL with captain Mirco Antenucci drilling in the second on 71 minutes. But Cagliari battled back and five minutes later were level as Leonardo Pavoletti headed in a corner and Artur Ionita equalised with a quick turn and shot.

Ruiz and late own goal rescue Napoli in rainy Genoa

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Spain's World Cup stars Fabian Ruiz and Gavi rewarded with their weight in tomatoes. Here's why

Euro 2024: Spain thrash Georgia in R16 to set up blockbuster quarterfinal clash with Germany

Ruiz and late own goal rescue Napoli in rainy Genoa