The Catalan chamber has rejected a proposal to officially receive the eight players of the Spanish national team born in Catalonia and grant them the Medal of Honour. Terrassa is preparing an event for Dani Olmo, scheduled for this Wednesday or Thursday.
While most communities and municipalities in Spain pay tribute to the 2026 World Cup champions, Catalonia has chosen a different path. The Parliament rejected on Tuesday a proposal to officially receive the eight Catalan footballers who were part of the Spanish national team that won the second star at the World Cup and grant them the Medal of Honour of the chamber.
The initiative, pushed by several parliamentary groups, aimed to recognise the achievement of David Raya, Marc Pubill, Eric García, Dani Olmo, Joan García, Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsí, and Marc Cucurella. However, the majority of the chamber voted against it, preventing an official reception at the Palace of the Parliament and denying the eight footballers the highest institutional distinction of Catalonia.
The decision contrasts with the festive atmosphere experienced in the rest of the country. In Navarra, Mikel Merino was received by President María Chivite at the Palace of Navarra, where he spoke in the Throne Room and greeted citizens gathered in the Plaza del Castillo from the balcony. In Los Palacios y Villafranca (Sevilla), Fabián Ruiz and Gavi were honoured with a local tradition that includes weighing them and presenting them with their weight in kilos of tomatoes, as well as announcing that two municipal fields will bear their names.
In the Valencian Community, Foios is preparing a statue for Ferrán Torres and will name him Favourite Son. In Extremadura, Pedro Porro will receive the Medal of Extremadura and be named Favourite Son of Don Benito. In Roquetas de Mar (Almería), Álex Baena will also be distinguished as Favourite Son. And in Villanueva de la Cañada (Madrid), the municipal football field will be named after Rodri Hernández, the captain of La Roja.
In the Basque Country, although no confirmed events have been announced, recognitions for Martín Zubimendi, Mikel Oyarzabal, and Unai Simón have been proposed. In Haro (La Rioja), coach Luis de la Fuente will be honoured in August.
Terrassa does expect Dani Olmo
While the Parliament closes the door to a collective event, the Town Hall of Terrassa maintains its commitment to receive one of the world champions from the city: Dani Olmo. According to municipal sources, the reception is initially scheduled for this Wednesday or Thursday, although the final date still needs to be confirmed with the player's entourage.
Dani Olmo, who trained in the FC Barcelona academy before succeeding at RB Leipzig and later at Barça, is one of the eight Catalans who lifted the World Cup last Sunday in Madrid. His connection to Terrassa, where he grew up and took his first steps in grassroots football, has led the council to organise an event that, according to reports, will be simple but emotional.
The Parliament's decision has generated diverse reactions. While some sectors criticise the missed opportunity to recognise athletes who have carried the name of Catalonia around the world, others defend that the event was unnecessary or could be controversial in the current political climate.
In any case, the eight Catalan footballers have already received the affection of fans during the massive celebration in Madrid, where two million people took to the streets to cheer for the national team. Now, each one returns to their places of origin, where, except in Catalonia, most find the doors of their institutions open.
The case of Víctor Muñoz, born in Barcelona but with strong family ties in Boniches (Cuenca), illustrates the dispersion of tributes: the small municipality in Cuenca is already preparing a plaque or a space dedicated to the footballer.
So far, no official events have been announced for other champions like Pedri in Tegueste (Tenerife), Marcos Llorente in Madrid, Grimaldo in Valencia, Borja Iglesias in Santiago de Compostela, or Yéremi Pino, whose family has requested that a square in their neighbourhood where he started playing be named after him.
The reception for Dani Olmo in Terrassa, if confirmed, will be the only institutional event from a Catalan town for one of the world champions. The Egarense council hopes to finalise the details in the coming hours so that the footballer can feel supported by his city.
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