A former sprinter, Salma Paralluelo now plays professional football for FC Barcelona Femení and the Spanish women’s national team. She is the first ever player to have won all three World Cups — having won the 2023 FWWC, 2022 FWWC U-20 and 2018 FWWC U-17.
Salma has been involved in competitive sports for most of her life. By age 8, she was already running one of the most famous races in Barcelona, the Jean Bouin, which she won for five straight years. Paralluelo holds the impressive achievement of representing Spain in both athletics and football – seemingly as dominant on the wing as she is in the 400 meter hurdles.She competed in 2019 European athletics championships and left a lasting mark with her stellar performances on the track – only stepping away from professional athletics when she received a call up from Barcelona.
After not making WEURO 22 due to an injury, Paralluelo attended her first senior international tournament at the FWWC 2023. She was a starting player for Spain and played a crucial role in bringing Spain a first-ever Women’s World Cup trophy. She was also recognised as FIFA Best Young Player and she finished third in the 2023 Ballon d'Or award, just at the age of 19.
