Female Footballer of the Year Contender Russo

Age: 26 Position: Striker Teams: Arsenal and the English national team

Alessia Russo created a legacy with her club as they emerged as the first British team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in the 2000s, and also helped guide England to the successful retention of their continental title.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and hit top form for her club, making significant contributions all campaign long in front of goal and with her work off the ball.

Russo was honored as the Football Writers' Association's women's footballer of the year for last season.

Russo finished as the WSL's co-leading goalscorer, sharing the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

Russo netted twelve WSL goals for the club and provided assists for a couple more.

She was also nominated for the prestigious individual award and named in the PFA and the European season's best XIs.

Her thoughts on personal development over the previous season:

"My top performances come when I'm having fun and I'm confident I'm training hard and completing my tasks, so those are aspects that I can always control.

"There's so many different aspects to a striker's role, it's so detailed and there are tiny differences. I continue to develop. We have great coaches here at Arsenal. There are top teammates to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the important matches come around, the more you do them, the more you get used to them."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The whole tournament was a complete rollercoaster. It was highs and lows. It tested us mentally. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I remember after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, a lot of us were really, really battered and bruised. The pressure was immense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. It moves so fast.

"In my view the way that we won during the event was just determination and toughness. And we were aware that we had the squad, we knew that we had what it takes.

"You're playing against the best teams in the world, the elite athletes in the world and sometimes you have to grind out results."

On the Champions League final:

"The main emotion that stands out from that whole day was just being so calm, like we knew our preparation was complete, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we trusted the strategy and what we aimed to achieve.

"Naturally playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not possessing the ball because they're so talented. When they do have the ball, they don't give it away that often.

"As players in the press and out of possession, we were really focused on our job at hand. It was a lot of running and a lot of defensive work. But in the end that led to success. In my opinion you have to be OK winning games like that as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I was fortunate of seeing her play a couple of occasions with my father. Seeing her for England, too, her talent was remarkable. I wish that she could have played longer and still be playing now, but she ranks among the greats.

"I believe anyone that has played with Kelly would say the same thing and I didn't have the chance of experiencing that. But watching her was something that I always used to love."

Alessia Russo notched twelve goals in 21 games in the WSL the previous campaign to share the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the league but she was also a constant threat in the box throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (seventy-three) and having a higher expected goals tally (nine point seven) than all her peers.

Her capability to aid the side beyond scoring sets her apart.

Team-mate a teammate often delivered forward balls into Russo, so effective ball retention was essential.

Her skill to drop deep, creating space from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements was notable.

If a defender got too close, Russo used her physicality to win free-kicks, helping her team gain settled possession in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League the prior year, no player was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (fifteen).

When the ball does stick, Russo's touches are extremely efficient. Her frequent scanning of her surroundings means she remains aware of where opponents are.

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from opposing players applying player-to-player pressure, before finding close colleagues oriented forward.

By keeping possession in difficult scenarios, she is often capable to act as an outlet for her side in trouble.

She can convert tough balls into extended spells of controlled play and these possessions in the opponent's final third lead to goals, many of which she finishes personally.