Fabian and Jesus Navas are worth their weight in gold… and tomatoes.
The atmosphere was filled with the aroma typical of great events. An aroma that permeated the city that had been the center of attraction for weeks throughout Spain. And the case of Los Palacios and Villafranca is indeed curious, since the relatively small city with a population of just under 40,000 is the small homeland of two Eurocup champions like Jesús Navas and Fabian Ruiz, in addition to being the birthplace of Gavi, a footballer who, if not for his premature injury, would also have worn a European champion medal around his neck.
The heroes of Berlin threw a stylish party in the capital of the kingdom last Monday, but the party that the city council of Los Palacios prepared for its illustrious children after this great achievement was truly emotional, very close and unforgettable for two. footballers who enjoyed it to the fullest. A day of recognition and love for these athletes who, being from families of parents, simple and modest They managed to reach the ceiling in football at the highest level. Children who started kicking a ball around the squares of this city and have now become an example for thousands of young people in the city who know that reaching the highest international level is possible. A day of celebration for all the residents of the palace and for many people from other cities who wanted to come to express their love for the athletes.
A city where tomatoes have been the watchword for decades and therefore also attended the historic festival. All thanks to the association of producers Tomatoes from Los Palacioswho gave each of the football players their share of this fruit. Today, these football players and the tomato itself are the best ambassadors of this city beyond its borders.
The Plaza Andalucia, where the luxurious town hall is located, was full of people, mostly very young fans, from about 7pm. Neither the heat nor the bright sun that beat down on a July afternoon prevented him there was a great atmosphere to receive these two ambassadors of Los Palacios throughout the world, who arrived at this place at about eight o’clock in the evening.
Two football players were accepted Juan Manuel Vallethe mayor of the city, and Javier Fernández, president of the Provincial Council of Seville, as well as numerous members of the municipal corporation. An event to which representatives of local cooperatives such as Parque Norte, las Nieves or Frupal were also invited. The atmosphere was that of a great event, and no one wanted to miss it.
Colors of red
Jesús Navas (22) and Fabian Ruiz (8) arrived in the red shirts of the Spanish national team, with shiny gold medals around their necks. They first left their mark in the book of honour of the Los Palacios city council, and then proceeded to weigh them and receive a curious gift in the form of a Los Palacios tomato, also known as ‘red beauty’In this sense, the scale dictated that Fabian should have received 83.2 kilograms of tomatoes, and Jesus Navas 64.7 kilograms, so the Paris Saint-Germain footballer clearly won.
Despite the high expectations and the presence of numerous representatives of the local sports sector, the two footballers had the opportunity to immortalize such an emotional moment with almost all of their families, who also did not want to miss this tribute, and both Photo for memoryThey then went up to the first floor of the town hall to go out onto the balcony, from which they addressed the public waiting for them.
Navas and Fabian pose with their families and kilos of tomatoes at the town hall.
“Who could have told me many years ago, when I was playing football in this square or in the neighboring area, that today I would be here celebrating the title of European Champion, this Dreams Come True“, – Fabian emphasized from the balcony of the city hall itself, where he had memories of Gavi, and joked that “twelve years ago I was at the fountain with you all, celebrating how Jesus lifted the 2012 European Cup.”
Jesus Navas, the most successful Spanish player in history, also wanted to remember Gavi and addressed the entire audience, explaining: “It’s incredible to be here again and celebrate the title, it’s incredible that there are three players from Los Palacios in the national team.” We arrived all the power you sent us“You are unique, I take my people wherever I go, you are great, humble and simple.”
Two world champions salute from the balcony of the town hall.
Perhaps it is the swamp air that blows unmistakably in this corner of the Seville province on western days. Or perhaps it is the bold and enterprising character that the inhabitants of this municipality have always shown. Or, of course, formidable force which provides a fertile garden where the main product is undoubtedly the tomato, but the reality is that Los Palacios and Villafranca are the most important places for this Spanish team that has forever earned a privileged place in the hearts of millions of people.
I remember Gavi
Under normal circumstances, curiosity would have been even more impressive, since everything indicated that the Spanish team participating in the European Cup would include another representative Palaces and Villafranca. Gavi, a Barcelona player, had every chance to join this historic team, but in the end an unfortunate injury prevented him from doing so. In any case, his teammates wanted to share this success with him and showed many signs of affection.
In this tribute both Jesus Navas as Fabian They dedicated emotional words to the young footballer, wishing him a speedy recovery and expressing confidence that “he will return stronger than ever and become the main hero of the national team.”