Los Palacios y Villafranca can now boast a milestone unique in the world: counting among its residents three world champions with the Spanish national team. Following the achievements of Fabián Ruiz and Pablo Páez Gavira “Gavi” at the World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada—continuing the legendary path blazed by Jesús Navas— the town is preparing to celebrate an unforgettable day of festivities this Tuesday.
The Los Palacios City Council has organized a warm welcome that promises to bring together thousands of fans and includes one of the province’s most unique and viral traditions: giving the soccer players their own weight in tomatoes.
Gavi and Fabián’s weight in tomatoes from Los Palacios
Starting at 7:30 p.m., the Plaza de Andalucía and the area surrounding City Hall will be the epicenter of the celebration. Gavi and Fabián will arrive accompanied by their families and Jesús Navas himself to be welcomed by the municipal council, local clubs, and the presidents of the agricultural cooperatives.
The most anticipated moment of the afternoon will come around 8:20 p.m., when both soccer players will step on the scale to honor the town’s tradition.
The Las Nieves Cooperative is expected to hand out around 140 kilos of “bombón colorao” tomatoes, the flagship variety of Los Palacios’s vegetable gardens. Jesús Navas received this appetizing “gift” back in the day after being crowned world champion in South Africa in 2010.
Stadiums named after them and a monument to the three champions
The tribute won’t be limited to the famous red delicacy. Los Palacios has decided to immortalize the feat of its athletes on the town’s sports street map:
- New names for the soccer fields: the current Marismas and San Sebastián stadiums will officially be renamed “Fabián Ruiz” and “Pablo Páez Gavira ‘Gavi’.” Historic teams such as AD Mosqueo, La Liara Balompié, and Los Palacios CF play their matches there. They thus join the Jesús Navas Sports Complex, named in honor of the former Sevilla FC player.
- A monument to the three champions. In addition, during Tuesday’s event, the players will unveil a model of the monument that the City Council will install on Juan José Vaquero Avenue as a permanent tribute to Navas, Fabián, and Gavi.
Schedule and how to follow the balcony greeting
For all residents and visitors who want to come out and celebrate with the Spanish national team players, here is the schedule for the day:
- 7:30 p.m.: Fabián Ruiz and Gavi arrive at Plaza de Andalucía and City Hall.
- 8:00 p.m.: Signing of the town’s Book of Honors in the Plenary Hall.
- 8:20 p.m.: traditional weigh-in and presentation of the kilos of tomatoes.
- 8:45 p.m.: Presentation of the sketch for the future monument honoring the three champions from Los Palacios.
- 9:00 p.m.: The soccer players will greet all their neighbors from the balcony of City Hall.
- 9:30 p.m.: End of the official ceremony.
The town’s mayor, Juan Manuel Valle, has emphasized the pride of a town that has managed to take the name of Los Palacios to the very top of global sports:
