How Spain managed to win the World Cup amid so many layers of complexity surely must be the subject of a documentary. On the field, their triumph is an enormous win for youth football and a celebration of the country’s enviable depth of talent. In addition to this magnificent World Cup title, Spain are also the holders of the Under-20 Women’s World Cup and last year retained the under-17 equivalent.
One player has won all of those trophies – the young player of the tournament, Salma Paralluelo. In a sense, that makes the 19-year-old sensation the embodiment of Spain’s success at youth level, which is now translating into success at senior level. That’s not to take anything away from her own remarkable journey from athletics star to football World Cup winner. Until a year ago Paralluelo was juggling the two sports, but her move to Barcelona forced her focus squarely on football. And we’re fortunate for it. Paralluelo scored the quarter-final winner against the Netherlands, she scored again in the semi-final win over Sweden and really should have scored in the final. She was named in the starting lineup against England, tasked with leading Spain’s attack.
