Salma Paralluelo: “I was in so much pain. After the Games, I was devastated.”

She arrives on time. “I’m learning,” she laughs. When Salma Paralluelo (Zaragoza, 21) appears, people turn to look at her. Despite her age, she has won two Bronze Balls (2023 and 2024), has lifted nine titles with Barcelona, ​​and is the first woman to win the triple crown with the national team—U-17, U-20, and senior World Cups. She poses easily in front of the camera. Fame came to her early, and she doesn’t like the spotlight. Smiling and cheerful, she confesses to being somewhat introverted outside her circle. She still goes out running—“less and less,” she assures—and her speed and speed helped her become Barcelona’s top scorer last season, with 34 goals in 36 matches. This year has been different: she had to stop. She did so with mature calm, and in silence. Due to a growing discomfort that kept her off the pitch from the start of the season until December. When she returned, she did it all: 13 goals in 29 matches. This Saturday, in Lisbon, Barcelona and Salma are looking for a fourth Champions League title against Arsenal.

Question: What happened to him?

Answer: In 2021, I tore my cruciate ligament with Villarreal. I recovered, and initially, things went well. But I was left with some minor discomfort in my patella. I arrived at Barça with them, but they weren't too serious. There's also been a change: I used to do athletics, and soccer two days a week. At Barça, I now only train soccer every day, and with great demands.

Q. Did you play through pain?

A. During these two years I have played with discomfort that has been getting worse.

P. And he played everything.

A. Your body notices if something isn't working right. When I arrived here, it was something we had to work on with the physical trainer and the physical trainers. But I was putting it off because we had the Champions League, the World Cup... I wanted to do everything possible to be in those competitions because I didn't know if I'd be able to experience something like that next year or in four years. There came a point during the Olympics where I said, "Salma, if you keep playing... I just couldn't play." I was in so much pain. In training, instead of thinking about improving as a player, I was thinking about doing the minimum so as not to hurt myself completely. I was constantly experiencing that limitation. And I decided to take matters into my own hands and stop.

Q. Did you decide it?

A. When I finished the Games, I said: I'm devastated. For me, it was an easier time because I had this time; it wasn't like missing out on an important competition.

Q. It must not be easy to work apart from the group.

A. It's lonely. When they went to the fields, I was at the gym, in the afternoons too. It was a time of working, of building strength, of being very tired... one of those workouts that sting and I don't really enjoy doing [laughs]. But I was calm: it was what had to be done. I had also mentally prepared myself for the fact that it was the best thing for me, and I took it more seriously.

Q. When you returned you had to make your way back between Claudia Pina and Ewa Pajor .

A. I've taken it as it has been: a fact. When you're out for a long time, the rest play, others get opportunities, and at Barça there's a lot of competition, they're all very good. And I already knew that. Aside from my form, which wasn't going to be what it always was because I was coming off a layoff, you have to earn your place, and with players who are showing their worth. Pajor's adaptation to the team has been almost perfect, like a glove. She's having an incredible season, and she's a very good person and teammate. We're all happy with what she's achieving and we hope she'll still be smiling on us in the final.

Q. You're one of the most in the spotlight. How have you handled it at such a young age?

A. I've handled it as well as I could have, calmly. It's true that it's something that doesn't motivate me much. I prefer being on the pitch, I admit it. But when I get going, it's part of the job; it's positive for football, and for us.

Q. Have you stopped doing anything because of fame?

A. Yes, I'm sometimes too lazy to go because I don't feel like it, because I'd feel uncomfortable in certain spaces. I always give it a second thought.

P. He relies heavily on his family.

A. My family is very important to me. They're the ones who know me best; they're always there for me. I like to have them in mind when making every decision, and I like to face any problems with them. They're the ones I strive for, the goals I have in mind, and my strength, in part. I want to make them proud.

P. She looks mature at 21.

A. I consider myself mature. Perhaps sports have had an influence: I've hung out with people older than me.

Q. Like in athletics. Do you miss it?

A. Sometimes, yes, less so now. Much less so. I always get nostalgic if there's a competition on TV. Or I'll go to a track and say: wow, I'd train for a while. But now it's just football and football.

Q. You said athletics was liberating. Was football liberating too?

A. Not at the same point. Perhaps athletics is more liberating because when you compete, you're alone, you train alone, you run alone... the responsibility is solely yours. But that's what gives you, perhaps, the greatest satisfaction or liberation when you achieve something or fight for something. In the end, team sports operate with many pieces on a chessboard.

Q. At Barcelona, ​​the younger ones are very close.

A. Aside from being teammates, we're also friends. We spend a lot of time together and make lots of plans, and we have strong bonds. It's something I really enjoy, and when you're on the field playing, your passion is the same, and sharing it with your friends is a very beautiful thing.

P. This year Mariona Caldentey will be on the other side.

A. On the field... there are no friends. We all have a special affection for Mariona. It's true that in the final, each of us will be fighting for our own goals, and we'll just be focused on that. Then, after the match...

Q: Sixth final in history, possible fourth title. What's this team got?

A. She's ambitious. There are players who have been at Barça for a long time, winning, and it speaks volumes for them that they want to keep fighting for the same thing every year, with the same passion, and that they don't give up.

Q. Is it difficult to assess?

A. At first, when you're in here, it's hard to fully appreciate it. In my case, later on, I'll give it more value than I can now. But I remember my first final as a huge dream.

P. They normalize success.

A. In general, it's getting back to normal. But it's not easy at all. It's a credit to the commitment and work of each person, and it makes the team go one way or another. There's always confidence in the team and in the work. But anything can happen in a final. It's going to be a beautiful match. But we're not happy about losing.