Salma Paralluelo has achieved what no other footballer has ever done. She is the first player in history, male or female, to win the FIFA World Cup at the under-17, under-20, and senior levels.
At only 21, she has already reached heights most players never come close to, combining athletic power with a calm ability to decide matches at the highest level.
The Dual-Sport Talent
Born in Zaragoza in November 2003, Paralluelo grew up excelling in two sports. She was one of Spain’s fastest young sprinters, breaking national youth records in the 400 metres and 400 metres hurdles.
At the same time, she was developing into one of the country’s most promising footballers with Zaragoza CF.
Her childhood was not without hardship. When she was just a girl, her half-brother Florencio Ayingono Eworo went missing and was later found deceased. It was a devastating moment for her family.
Sport became her way to channel pain into purpose. She has often said that competition gave her focus and a sense of direction when she needed it most.
For years, she trained for both athletics and football, running during the week and playing matches on weekends. That balance eventually became impossible.
In 2021, she suffered a serious knee injury and was forced to pause both sports. During recovery, she realised how much she missed the energy and emotion of football. Athletics gave her discipline and speed, but football gave her joy. It was then that she decided to dedicate herself fully to the game.
The Goal That Changed Everything
Before joining Barcelona, Paralluelo played for Villarreal. In 2022 she faced Barcelona in the league and scored a stunning goal from distance that was later nominated for the FIFA Puskás Award.
It was a moment that caught everyone’s attention. Her pace, control and precision stood out even against the best team in Europe, and Barcelona soon made their move to sign her.
Joining Europe’s Finest
Paralluelo joined Barcelona in the summer of 2022 and quickly adapted to a squad full of world-class players such as Aitana Bonmatí, Alexia Putellas and Caroline Graham Hansen. Surrounded by Ballon d’Or winners and Champions League stars, she improved rapidly and became a vital part of the team’s attack.
According to Barcelona’s official records, she has already made 109 appearances and scored 67 goals in all competitions. Her mix of pace, balance and finishing has made her one of the most complete young forwards in the game.
One of her standout moments came in the 2023 UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-final away to Roma, when she scored the only goal of the match to give Barcelona a vital first-leg advantage. It was another example of her ability to step up when it matters most.
Making History with Spain
Paralluelo’s international career has been equally remarkable. She won the Under 17 World Cup in 2018, the Under 20 World Cup in 2022 and the senior Women’s World Cup in 2023, a clean sweep no player has ever matched.
In the 2023 World Cup quarter-final against the Netherlands, at the time, a teenage Paralluelo scored deep into extra time to give Spain a 2–1 victory and send them into their first-ever semi-final. She then struck again in the semi-final against Sweden, continuing her habit of deciding matches on the biggest stage.
Lessons from Defeat
Paralluelo was a major reason Spain reached the Euro 2025 final. Her goals and performances carried the team through difficult matches and established her as one of their leaders despite her age.
But football can be unforgiving. In the final against England she missed two big chances in extra time and later sent her penalty wide in the shootout. Spain lost, and for once her finishing touch deserted her.
Nevertheless, her response was composed and mature. She spoke about learning from the experience and focusing on what the team achieved rather than what was lost. It showed the same resilience that has carried her through personal tragedy and professional setbacks.
The Decision That Defined Her
Paralluelo’s journey is built on difficult choices. Athletics gave her structure and strength. Football gave her freedom and joy. Choosing one over the other was not easy, but it allowed her to focus completely on her true passion.
Today she stands as a key figure in Barcelona’s dominance and Spain’s golden generation. Her story is one of talent and courage but also of overcoming adversity.
Whether it was the Puskás-nominated goal that changed her career, the strike against Roma that secured victory, or the extra-time winner that sent Spain to a World Cup final, Salma Paralluelo has built her reputation on decisive moments.
She may have left the running track behind, but she found something far greater. A triple world champion, a Champions League winner and a player whose strength comes not just from her ability, but from everything she has endured.
