Salma: a dream between football and athletics

There was surprise in Vilda’s prelist for the Euro. Salma Paralluelo was cited among the 28 players who choose to represent Spain in the continental tournament. The athlete (she can be called like that since in addition to soccer she also competes in athletics) of Equatorial Guinean descent, was born in Zaragoza in 2003. At only 18 years old she receives the call of the absolute for the first time. And to opt to play a Euro. It is no coincidence, it is the result of the great work that he has been doing with the lower categories of La Roja. She has been world and European champion with the U-17 in 2018. At that time she also stood out on the athletics track, achieving the Spanish record in the U-18 and U-20 categories. However, a cruciate ligament injury took him away from the sport for several months, his life.

Salma is one of those who does not give up and came back stronger. In the 2019-2020 season she signed for Villarreal and began to combine both modalities. A few weeks ago she could be seen performing on both stages in just 24 hours. On Saturday he competed in the DNA format (a mixed competition) with Playas de Castellón and won the mixed relay, crowning his team with the title of national champion. On Sunday he led his team to victory with a brace against Betis.

Football or athletics

The call of Salma with the absolute misaligns their plans. If he went to the European Championship, he would be left without the Spanish Under-20 Championship, since it would be on the same dates. But he could reach the Under-20 World Championship in August. To go he would have to make a mark of 53.50 in 400 meters. Right now he is 3 seconds away, so he would have to have time to train in this discipline. Something that seems complicated.

“I think Salma’s track season is over. He has European Under-19, World Under-20 and European Championship. There’s no space. We are already talking about the next season.” admits his coach Felix Laguna.

Football, on the other hand, takes center stage. “Salma is a player that we have known for years, we know that this season she has not had a prolonged performance over time due to her injury. She overcame her very well and has had a good end to the season. Decisive player and differential to space. She can contribute a lot, that’s why she is summoned. Both she and any of the 28 soccer players who are going to come have the possibility of being on the list of 23″, acknowledged Vilda. Despite having suffered another injury this season, the coach has followed him closely and decided to give him this opportunity. Resistance and speed will not be lacking, that’s for sure.