Salma Paralluelo was poised to make a significant impact in athletics, showcasing remarkable physical abilities from a young age. Over four consecutive years, the athlete from Zaragoza dominated her age group at the prestigious Jean Bouin event in Barcelona. Her athletic journey began in 2016 when she debuted at the Spanish Championships in the under-14 category, securing gold medals in the 80-meter flat, 80-meter hurdles, and shot put.
In 2017, she excelled in the under-16 60-meter hurdles, and the following year, she achieved a remarkable feat by winning both the 300 meters and triple jump at the national championships. That summer, she shattered the under-16 record for the 300-meter hurdles. Her impressive stride made it a challenge to channel her talent into a specific event until she decided on the 400 meters, both flat and hurdles.
Salma truly made her mark in 2019 at the Ibero-American Meeting in Huelva, where she ran the 400-meter hurdles in 57.43, breaking the national under-18 record held by Catalonian athlete Sara Gallego and setting the best world mark in her category. That same year, she clinched gold medals in the 400 hurdles and the 4×400 relay with Spain at the European Youth Festival.
By then, the new Letzigrund track had opened, a historic site known for witnessing extraordinary global records, including those set by athletes like Russia’s Yelena Isinbayeva and Jamaica’s Usain Bolt. Over the years, the venue has seen over 25 world records, with notable performances in various disciplines.
Despite her promising future in athletics, Salma balanced her track endeavors with football, where she played a pivotal role in Spain’s under-17 World Cup victory in 2018. After joining Villarreal in 2019, she managed to pursue both sports before ultimately committing to football when she transferred to FC Barcelona in 2022.
While the athletics community lost a rising star, the football world gained a player celebrated for her incredible speed. Currently, Paralluelo has become a key player for Barça, achieving success with two Champions League titles, five league championships, two Copa de la Reina wins, and two Supercopa titles. Looking ahead, she is set to take the field this Wednesday at the Letzigrund against Germany in the semifinals of a European Championship, where her contributions have been somewhat less spotlighted. Will she seize this opportunity to shine once again?