Wed Jul 23 20:50:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:

**Headline: Salma Paralluelo’s Pain-Fueled Pause: Star Winger Battles Back for Spain at Euro 2025**

**Zurich, Switzerland** – As Spain battles Germany in the Euro 2025 Semifinal today, one of their key weapons, Salma Paralluelo, is making her comeback. The Barcelona winger’s journey to the tournament hasn’t been smooth. Last year after the Olympics, Paralluelo, 21, made the difficult decision to step away from the pitch to address chronic pain stemming from her dual-sport background in football and athletics.

The young star, who previously balanced both sports at Villarreal, faced a pivotal choice when Barcelona came calling in 2022, opting to focus solely on football. But, lingering discomfort from a 2021 ACL injury, compounded by the physical demands of adapting to professional football after balancing athletics with football, became increasingly debilitating. The pain intensified, reaching a critical point after the Olympics in 2024, where Spain failed to medal.

“I had reached a point where I just had to accept it,” Paralluelo told The Athletic. “I wasn’t going to be able to perform or enjoy myself on the pitch.” She chose to sit out of the team for four months.

The decision, though agonizing, was supported by Barcelona, who provided her with the resources and time needed for a full recovery. Paralluelo learned a crucial lesson: “sometimes you have to put yourself first, approach things sensibly and think about the future.”

Now fully fit, Paralluelo is ready to contribute to Spain’s Euro 2025 campaign. Her explosive speed and dribbling skills, which earned her the Best Young Player award at the 2023 World Cup, where she scored crucial goals in the quarter and semi-finals, make her a vital asset for head coach Montse Tomé.

Despite only starting one game so far, Paralluelo’s ability to unlock defenses makes her a potent threat against Germany. Known for her versatility on either wing, she is more comfortable in the left wing. When asked about reaching the final she said, “Not yet, first Germany.”

Having already conquered the U-17, U-20, and senior World Cups, as well as the Nations League, Paralluelo aims to add a senior European Championship to her impressive resume. Her resilience and determination make her a player to watch as Spain chases Euro glory.

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