Spanish midfielders Gavi and Fabian Ruiz have received an unusual hometown tribute after helping Spain win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the pair rewarded with tomatoes equivalent to their body weight.

The players returned to their hometown of Los Palacios y Villafranca following Spain’s victory over Argentina in the World Cup final, where they were honoured in keeping with a long-standing local tradition.

According to reports, the municipality rewards local athletes who win major championships by presenting them with their weight in tomatoes, a symbolic gesture celebrating their achievements.

Fabian Ruiz received 187 pounds of tomatoes, while Gavi was given 151 pounds, bringing the total to 338 pounds of tomatoes for the two World Cup winners.

Images from the ceremony showed the Spanish internationals posing with crates of tomatoes as residents gathered to celebrate their historic achievement.

The tribute has been observed in Los Palacios y Villafranca for years as a way of recognising local sporting heroes.

Spain’s victory over Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final secured the country’s second World Cup title and cemented the squad’s place in Spanish football history.

The tomato presentation added a distinctive local touch to the nationwide celebrations, with Gavi and Ruiz joining the list of hometown athletes to receive the unique honour after winning a major international title.

Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has dismissed the presidential ticket of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), declaring that it would not succeed in Kano State in the 2027 general election.
Speaking with journalists, the former Kano State governor said the ticket lacked the political strength and governance credentials needed to win the support of Kano voters.

“I don’t think Peter Obi and Kwankwaso’s ticket will succeed in Kano. It will not succeed. In fact, it is dead on arrival,” Ganduje said.

He questioned Obi’s performance during his tenure as governor of Anambra State, arguing that the former governor had not demonstrated the leadership record required to govern Nigeria.

“Because Peter Obi was a governor in the South-East geopolitical zone, a governor in Anambra State. What did he do as a governor? What legacy did he leave as a governor?” he asked.

“And from that, what other responsibility in governance did he hold that he made a mark to the extent that we believe he will be able to manage this country effectively and efficiently?”

Ganduje also criticised Kwankwaso’s political career, noting that unlike some former governors of Kano, he did not secure two consecutive terms in office.

“Kwankwaso too, he was a governor of Kano State. He was not able to be a governor back-to-back,” he said.

“So far, the two other governors in Kano were able to win elections back-to-back. Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau was able to spend eight years straight. Myself, I was able to spend eight years straight.”

The former APC chairman further argued that Kwankwaso had not left behind a legacy capable of convincing Kano residents or Nigerians that he would make an effective vice-president.

“So I don’t think, even in Kano, what legacy specifically can you say that he has left in Kano that will convince the people of Kano, will convince the people of Nigeria that he will be a successful vice-president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?” Ganduje said.

Following the concluded move of Morgan Rogers to Chelsea, indication has emerged that want away Chelsea player, Garnacho may become an Aston Villa player soon according to transfer expert, Romano.

On July 21st, Romano stated on his podcast that Garnacho is moving closer to joining Aston Villa.
He reported that Morgan Rogers’ move to Chelsea has been officially announced, and in the same conversation, Aston Villa inquired about Garnacho.

” Before that, there had been no contact between the two parties, but now Garnacho is getting closer to joining Aston Villa.

“Villa sent an official offer this afternoon (local time, 21st): a loan with a buy-out clause that would become mandatory under specific conditions. The information I received tonight is that this mandatory buy-out condition is very easy to trigger, which is why Chelsea are prepared to accept Aston Villa’s terms.

“If Aston Villa can now agree personal terms with Garnacho, they can finalize the deal within the next few hours. Garnacho is very close to joining Aston Villa; it now only needs the player’s final approval. Emery is pushing hard to sign Garnacho and is personally involved. It now depends on the player’s stance, as Chelsea are open to accepting this offer” he maintained.