From the Track to the Pitch: How Salma Paralluelo Became Spain’s Fastest-Rising Soccer Star

Once a record-breaking sprinter, the Zaragoza-born athlete is now a vital cog in FC Barcelona’s unstoppable machine—and a World Cup hero for Spain

ZARAGOZA, Spain — There was a time when Salma Paralluelo was speeding past the finish line with nobody in sight. A national sprinting prodigy. A champion before she had a driver’s license. But it wasn’t the sound of a starter’s pistol that shaped her future. It was a call from FC Barcelona.

And that changed everything.

A Childhood Split Between Spikes and Shin Guards

Paralluelo’s feet were always in motion. First pounding the dirt track. Then flicking through defenders.

She was just seven when she joined Club San José in Aragón. Not long after, she signed with Scorpio-71, one of the top athletics clubs in the region. Even then, coaches knew they had someone special. Her stride, they said, was like watching wind take shape.

But by ten, Salma was juggling more than just training schedules. She was playing football too. Always with boys. Always making her presence felt.

Back then, girls’ football in Spain didn’t get the headlines. It barely got a mention.

“I felt like I had to prove something every time I touched the ball,” she once said. “And I liked that pressure.”

By 15, she was balancing track medals and football contracts—sprinting at Spanish national meets and debuting for Zaragoza CFF in the second division. It was exhausting. And exhilarating.

One short sentence: She didn’t know which dream to chase.

Torn Between Gold Medals and Goal Nets

In 2019, Paralluelo broke a Spanish U18 record in the 400 meters. She was fast. Ridiculously fast. Her times hinted at Olympic potential.

But so did her soccer.

Spain’s youth national team had already taken notice. FC Barcelona was circling. Teammates whispered that she could be the next big thing in Spanish football. Maybe even the world.

Still, doubts crept in. What if she gave up track and failed in football? What if the game forgot her before it embraced her?

Then came the moment of truth.

“I knew I had to choose. You can’t chase two things at once forever.”

So she chose.

FC Barcelona and a Career Breakthrough

In 2022, Salma joined the powerhouse: FC Barcelona Femení.

At 18, she walked into a locker room filled with stars. Some girls might’ve shrunk. Salma stood tall. Literally and metaphorically.

It wasn’t just her pace that stunned defenders—it was her awareness. Her timing. Her ability to make the right run, always at the right time.

One month in, she was starting matches. Three months in, she was scoring Champions League goals. And then the phone rang again. This time, from Spain’s senior national team.

She didn’t hesitate.

• Won FIFA Women’s World Cup with Spain in 2023

• Scored in the quarterfinal against the Netherlands

• Named Young Player of the Tournament by many pundits

• Helped Barcelona to multiple league and Champions League titles

She’d arrived. Not just as a former sprinter. But as a complete footballer.

From Zaragoza to Global Spotlight

People in Zaragoza still talk about her like she’s family. They remember the skinny kid lacing up spikes at the local track. The girl dribbling on concrete pitches.

Today, her name’s in lights. She’s part of ad campaigns. FIFA ratings. World Cup montages. She even got the royal treatment—literally—when King Felipe VI handed her the Premio Princesa Leonor for sporting excellence.

But Salma doesn’t act like a superstar. At least not off the pitch.

She’s still soft-spoken. Still a student of the game. Still asks questions in training.

“I know I’m not done growing,” she told Spanish media last month. “This is just the beginning.”

Just one sentence: That humility sets her apart.

Where Her Speed Still Counts

Salma may not run the 400 meters competitively anymore, but her track roots haven’t faded. In fact, they’ve become her weapon.

Few players can match her first five steps. Even fewer can recover once she’s past them. That’s a nightmare for defenders—and a dream for Barcelona.

Here’s how her athletic past stacks up with her football present:

Athletics taught her power and discipline. Football gave her a team, a rhythm, a cause.

It’s no surprise that Barcelona’s coaches tailor their tactics to her strengths. Play wide. Play fast. Let Salma fly.

What’s Next for Salma?

She’s still just 21. And that’s the wild part.

Many players at her age are still finding their footing. Salma’s already carrying trophies.

Still, big questions loom. Will she stay with Barcelona long-term? Could she lead Spain to Olympic glory—this time not on the track, but on the pitch? And what about life beyond football?

Nobody knows for sure. But everyone’s watching.

She recently hinted at finishing her university degree. She’s also been mentoring youth players through a grassroots program back in Zaragoza. Giving back, as they say.

There’s buzz about endorsement deals with Nike and Red Bull, but Salma keeps quiet on that front. Her Instagram stays low-key. Her focus? On the field.