Two Spanish athletes are forging entirely distinct paths toward the National Football League as Madrid prepares to host a historic regular-season fixture. Diego Paz, a 23-year-old defensive lineman, and Tom Gabarró, a 19-year-old standout at the Loughborough-based NFL Academy, are both aiming to become the first player born and raised in Spain to feature in a regular-season NFL game, El Mundo reported.
The convergence of their journeys coincides with the NFL’s return to the Spanish capital, where the Santiago Bernabéu stadium hosts a matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Atlanta Falcons. While established trailblazers like Alejandro Villanueva grew up largely in the United States and J.J. Arcega-Whiteside developed through American high school and collegiate systems, Paz and Gabarró represent a new wave of prospects developed primarily on European soil.
From Madrid’s Olympic Track to New England Patriots Tryouts
Diego Paz began his athletic life on the running tracks of Madrid’s Centro de Alto Rendimiento de la Blume, where he spent his early years harboring ambitions of becoming an Olympic 400-meter champion. After walking away from track and field in 2020, he spent two years dedicated exclusively to weight training, building significant muscle mass before a friend persuaded him to try American football with the Las Rozas Black Demons in 2022.
Seydou Traore has been drafted by the @MiamiDolphins! From the NFL Academy to the NFL, the journey continues. We couldn't be prouder of you. Let's go get it @zikotraore 👏 pic.twitter.com/OSbUE6uehD
Playing as a defensive end for the Rhein Fire in the European League of Football, Paz earned recognition as the league’s most improved defensive player. That performance drew the attention of talent scout Damon Talbot, who connected him with an agency and secured a three-day workout with the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Paz expressed absolute confidence in his long-term trajectory, stating to El Mundo that he intends to become the first Spaniard born and raised domestically to reach the NFL.
A Rigorous Daily Routine at the NFL Academy
While Paz tests his abilities at the professional continental level, Tom Gabarró pursues his goal through the elite collegiate pipeline. At 19 years old, the Barcelona native is the sole Spanish participant in the NFL Academy, an international high-performance program based in Loughborough, England, that prepares approximately 70 prospects from over 20 countries for American college football scholarships.
El Periódico reported that Gabarró’s daily schedule begins at 6:00 a.m. with a gym session, followed by classes toward a BTEC qualification in Sports Development, tactical meetings, and field training. Gabarró initially discovered the sport during an academic exchange in Vancouver at age 15. Having started as a kicker due to unfamiliarity with the rules, he transitioned to wide receptor on offense and deep defensive back, earning an undisputed starting role and defensive leadership duties during his second year in the academy.
Balancing Rigorous Academics with Elite Athletic Schedules
Balancing intense athletic preparation with demanding academic standards remains a central challenge for academy participants. Gabarró noted that the program integrates education directly with athletic schedules, though managing studies alongside international travel requires strict discipline. He also pointed out that international status occasionally creates hesitation among American college recruiters, an obstacle he and his peers aim to dismantle by proving their readiness on the field.
Both athletes continue their respective campaigns across European competitions and international development programs as the league expands its footprint in Spain. Paz works toward further professional opportunities following his exposure in Boston, while Gabarró targets an American collegiate scholarship as the direct precursor to the professional ranks.
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