Women's Footballer of the Year Candidate Russo

Years Old: 26 Playing Role: Forward Teams: The Gunners and the English national team

Alessia Russo created a legacy with Arsenal as they emerged as the pioneering British team to win the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in the 2000s, and also helped guide England to the defence of their European Championship crown.

She scored in the Euro 2025 final and found her groove for her club, playing a crucial role throughout the season in front of goal and with her work off the ball.

Russo was named the Football Writers' Association's top female player for the previous campaign.

She was the WSL's co-leading goalscorer, earning a share of the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

Russo netted twelve league goals for Arsenal and set up for a further two.

She was also nominated for the prestigious individual award and named in the Professional Footballers' Association 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 know I'm training hard and completing my tasks, so that's something that I can always control.

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, it's so detailed and there are so many fine margins. I'm always still learning. Our staff is excellent here at the club. I have great players to learn off as well. Then when the big games come around, the greater your experience, the more comfortable you become."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The whole tournament was a total emotional ride. It was highs and lows. It was emotionally really hard. We were physically drained.

"I recall after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, a lot of us were extremely sore and injured. It was so intense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. It moves so fast.

"I think the way that we won throughout that whole tournament was just determination and toughness. And we were aware that we had the squad, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"You're playing against the best teams in the world, the elite athletes in the world and sometimes you have to win a little bit dirty."

Discussing the European final:

"The main emotion that stands out from that whole day was just being very composed, like we knew we'd done the work, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we believed in the game plan and what we aimed to achieve.

"Naturally playing against a team like Barcelona, you've got to be comfortable not having the ball because their skill is exceptional. When they do have the ball, they don't give it away frequently.

"We as athletes in the press and defensively, we were really focused on our assigned tasks. It was a lot of running and a lot of defensive work. But ultimately that led to success. In my opinion you have to be content securing victories in that manner as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I got the pleasure of watching her a couple of occasions with my dad. Seeing her for England, too, her talent was remarkable. I hope that her career lasted more and she was active today, but she was one of the best ever.

"I think anyone that has played with Kelly would agree and I never got the pleasure of experiencing that. But watching her was something that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo notched 12 goals in twenty-one games in the Women's Super League last season to share the Golden Boot.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the competition but Russo was also a constant threat in the penalty area all season long, taking more shots (seventy-three) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than any other player.

Her capability to contribute to the team outside of her goals sets her apart.

Team-mate Mariona Caldentey often delivered progressive passes into her, so strong hold-up play was essential.

Her skill to retreat into midfield, creating space from her opposing defender through quick, incisive runs was notable.

If a defender got in tight, she used her physicality to draw fouls, helping her team secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League last season, no player was drawn more fouls than the Arsenal striker (15).

When the ball does stick, her control are extremely efficient. Her frequent scanning of her environment means she remains aware of where rivals are.

Russo takes few contacts on the ball, moving it clear from opposing players marking closely, before finding nearby team-mates positioned facing towards the goal.

By retaining the ball in tough situations, she is often capable to act as an outlet for her side in trouble.

She is able convert tough balls into extended spells of stable possession and these possessions in the attacking zone result in scores, many of which she ends up scoring herself.