Back in Los Palacios, Fabián Ruiz experienced a deeply emotional moment. Cheered on by the residents of his hometown following La Roja’s second World Cup title in their history, our Parisian opened up about his experiences at the World Cup, the pride he feels in representing his country, and the many messages he has received from the club and the Rouge et Bleu supporters.
“I’m really very happy. It’s an incredible feeling. Being world champion with your country is truly special. We’ve had some extraordinary moments and we’ve received so much support from the fans. I’m very proud to have won this trophy.”
“It was a unique experience. We were far from our families and had to adapt to the conditions, but we always had faith in our team. Despite the first match raising some doubts, we knew what we were capable of. As the tournament progressed, we improved, and we couldn’t have hoped for a better ending.”
“Yes, I’d also faced several players from the Club earlier in the tournament. It’s always special to come up against teammates you spend every day with. During the match, everyone is fighting for their own side, but after the final whistle, we swapped shirts and had a good time together. Football also helps to create some wonderful friendships.”
“I couldn’t have asked for anything better. With Paris Saint-Germain, we’ve won almost every title there is to win, and to end this season by winning the World Cup with Spain is simply incredible. It’s a year I’ll never forget, both with Paris and with the national team.”
“Yes, loads. I received a lot of support throughout the tournament. The President, Luis Campos, the coach, the staff and everyone at Paris Saint-Germain sent me messages after every match. They also supported my family throughout the whole adventure. I’m very grateful to them and it meant a lot to me.”
“It’s very moving. Seeing an entire village come together like this fills me with immense pride. Los Palacios is a place I’m deeply attached to, and one that I represent with great pride wherever I play. To receive such warmth here is very special.”
“The Paris Saint-Germain fans are exceptional. No matter where we play, they’re always behind us and never stop cheering us on. You can feel their support on the pitch, and it drives us to give our very best. I’d like to thank them for all their messages during this World Cup.”
Whilst Fabian Ruiz was the centre of attention in Los Palacios, his return was also met with immense emotion by his loved ones. Among them was his brother Alejandro, who had a front-row seat to the day’s celebrations and could sense the pride that filled the whole town as it turned out to welcome home its World Cup champion.
“It’s an incredible moment. We’ve seen just how much affection the locals have for us. They always welcome us like this, and it’s a source of immense pride to be able to share this day with them,” he says. Beyond the tribute paid to Fabian, it is a whole journey that is being celebrated: a boy from Los Palacios who left at a very young age to pursue his dream, before returning with the most prestigious of trophies.
For Alejandro, seeing his brother return to the village as a world champion is a moment that’s hard to put into words. “The fact that my brother has won the World Cup with Spain and is being welcomed in this way by the people of his town is one of the most wonderful things you can experience. I’m incredibly proud of him and I’m still finding it hard to take in everything that’s happening.”
It’s a feeling shared by the people of Los Palacios, who have never stopped supporting Fabián over the years. “The village has always had a lot of love for him. At every match, the locals are right behind him, and whenever he comes back here, he always receives a great welcome.” It's a tribute that brings an unforgettable end to the season for the Parisian midfielder in the most wonderful way possible.
