Players from the Spanish football club Fabian Ruiz and Pablo Paes Gavira, known as Gavi, received an unusual gift after winning the FIFA World Cup 2026 tournament.
The Spanish champions, who won the final match against Argentina in New Jersey on Sunday, July 19, were gifted a quantity of tomatoes equal to their weight. This unique gesture was organized by the City Council of Los Palacios.
The Los Palacios City Council prepared a special reception for the Spanish footballers, highlighting one of the province's most characteristic traditions: presenting Gavi and Ruiz with tomatoes corresponding to their weight. Furthermore, during the ceremony on Tuesday, it was announced that a model of a monument would be placed on Juan José Vacero Avenue as a permanent tribute to Jesus Navas, Fabian Ruiz, and Gavi.
A viral video featuring Marc Cucurella has sparked widespread public discussion regarding the World Cup trophy. Spain was declared the winner this year after a tense match against Argentina, where Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal, securing the country's second tournament victory in history.
Numerous materials have appeared online, one of which shows defender Marc Cucurella supposedly leaving MetLife Stadium with the World Cup trophy wrapped in a garbage bag. In the video, Cucurella is wearing the red Spanish jersey he wore during the celebration, as well as blue shorts that he wore throughout the match. He was also wearing slides, a headband, and a bag holding the World Cup trophy in a transparent garbage bag.
Some viewers reacted critically to this moment; one wrote: 'The most valuable trophy in the world is carried like groceries from the store.' Another commentator added: 'If this is the new award policy in a 'lightweight' format, I'll bring my own shopping bag to the next final.'
There are several possible explanations for this video. According to available information, to mark the victory, all Spanish players were presented with small World Cup trophies by FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the locker rooms.
Other users suggest that it might refer to the LEGO version of the FIFA World Cup trophy, which is available on the website for $199.
As for the fate of the original trophy, the FIFA World Cup Trophy itself has been used since 1974, when it was first awarded to West Germany. According to The Athletic, the trophy is made of 18-karat gold and costs about $9,390 to produce, with its current value estimated at $110,000.
Although most expect Spain to take the original trophy home, since 2006, winning teams have displayed a golden replica in the streets during state and government-organized parades when players are welcomed home.
The original trophy is kept at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, and only a few people have had contact with it, including winning players and government leaders.
The Spanish national team returned today. During the day, they will participate in a parade in Madrid, after which they will board an open-top bus where Spanish residents and fans can celebrate and welcome them. The team will be greeted by President Pedro Sánchez and other government officials.
