The Los Palacios and Villafranca Town Council has announced that the two municipal grass pitches will be named after Fabián Ruiz Peña and Pablo Páez Gavira 'Gavi', while a joint monument will be erected to the three champions of the municipality, including Jesús Navas.
The municipality of Los Palacios and Villafranca is preparing for a historic tribute to its three international footballers. The Town Council has decided to name the two municipal grass football fields after Fabián Ruiz Peña and Pablo Páez Gavira 'Gavi', while the sports hall has been named after Jesús Navas for many years. Additionally, a monument dedicated to the three will be constructed.
The mayor, Juan Manuel Valle, made the announcement coinciding with the week in which the Spanish National Team is competing in a new international final. “Regardless of the result, Los Palacios and Villafranca already feels deeply proud of everything our footballers have achieved,” he stated.
“Whatever happens in the final, you have already accomplished something extraordinary and your town will always be proud of you.”
A Unique Trio of Champions in the World
The three footballers were born in Los Palacios and Villafranca, have played together representing the Spanish National Team, and have won an international title together: the UEFA Nations League. A milestone that, according to the Town Council, very few municipalities in the world can claim. The mayor emphasized that they are “a reference for thousands of boys and girls” and an example of the values they convey.
The monument, with no start date or definitive location yet, will be erected in a commemorative space symbolizing the pride of an entire town. The Town Council wants to leave a permanent record of the gratitude and admiration of the citizens towards these three athletes who have written one of the brightest pages in the history of local and national sport.
Training Ground and Values, the Pride of Los Palacios
Juan Manuel Valle has highlighted the work of the Municipal Football School and local sports clubs, true pillars of sports training in the municipality. “Behind these successes are many years of work, dedication, and shared enthusiasm from clubs, coaches, instructors, and families,” he noted. The mayor emphasized that the local training ground is a reference in Andalusia, capable of producing not only great footballers but also great people.
For the residents of Los Palacios and Villafranca, this recognition represents a source of collective pride. The football fields, which will now bear the names of their idols, will serve as a daily reminder that effort and humility can lead to the highest achievements. The next time a child steps onto the grass of the Fabián Ruiz Peña Football Field or the Pablo Páez Gavira 'Gavi' Football Field, they will know that behind those names lies a story of overcoming challenges that began in their own town.
The Town Council wanted the announcement to coincide with the Nations League final to give a final boost of encouragement to the three internationals. “Now there is just one last step: go for the final!” the mayor concluded. Details about the construction of the monument and the naming of the fields will be announced in the coming weeks.
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