Born in San Fernando, Cádiz, Andalusia, Barral started playing professionally in the lower divisions, with Real Madrid's B and C teams, with a loan stint at neighbouring CF Fuenlabrada in between.
[2] In the 2006–07 season he moved to Sporting de Gijón where, in his second year, he formed a formidable attacking partnership with Mate Bilić (arrived in January 2008) to help the Asturias side to return to La Liga after a 10-year absence.
[4] During the campaign he again paired up with Bilić for a total of 22 league goals,[5] and scored a crucial one in the last matchday – a 2–1 home victory over Recreativo de Huelva – as Sporting avoided relegation.
[7] In 2010–11, Barral continued to battle with Bilić for first-choice status,[2] with Sporting also having acquired Gastón Sangoy; coach Manuel Preciado often fielded only one striker.
[13] On 7 February 2015, he became the first national player to score a hat-trick in a year after Athletic Bilbao's Aritz Aduriz, in a 4–1 home win over Málaga CF.
He played for the Andalusia autonomous team on 7 June 2013 against their Madrid equivalent on the centenary of the latter's Football Federation, and scored both goals of a 2–1 win in Vallecas.