Women's Footballer of the Year Candidate Russo

Age: 26 Position: Striker Clubs: Arsenal and England

The talented forward created a legacy with Arsenal as they became the first British team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the Gunners did in the 2000s, and also helped guide England to the successful retention of their European Championship crown.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 final and hit top form for her club, playing a crucial role throughout the season as an attacker and with her work off the ball.

Russo was honored as the FWA's top female player for last season.

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

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

She was also nominated for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and selected in the PFA and the Uefa Champions League 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 I'm getting my work done, so that's something that are within my power.

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, it's so detailed and there are so many fine margins. I continue to develop. Our staff is excellent here at Arsenal. I have great players to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the big games arrive, the more you do them, the more comfortable you become."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The entire competition was a complete rollercoaster. There were ups and downs. 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. It was so intense. But recovery had to be swift. The schedule is relentless.

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

"Facing the best teams in the world, the elite athletes in the world and sometimes you have to win a little bit dirty."

On the Champions League final:

"The main emotion that I can remember from that entire occasion was just being very composed, like we knew we'd done the work, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we believed in the strategy and what we aimed to achieve.

"Obviously playing against a team like Barcelona, you must accept not possessing the ball because they're so talented. When in possession, they retain it frequently.

"As players in the high press and defensively, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement and plenty of defending. But in the end that led to success. In my opinion you have to be OK securing victories in that manner as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I was fortunate of seeing her play a few times with my father. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. I hope that she could have played longer and she was active today, but she ranks among the greats.

"I believe anyone that has played with Kelly would agree and I never got the pleasure of doing that. But observing her play was something that I always used to love."

Alessia Russo notched twelve goals in 21 games in the Women's Super League last season to share the scoring award.

She was not just one of the deadliest players in the competition but she was also a constant threat in the penalty area all season long, taking more shots (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (nine point seven) than all her peers.

Russo's ability to contribute to the team outside of her goals distinguishes her.

Team-mate Mariona Caldentey often delivered progressive passes into Russo, so effective ball retention was essential.

Her skill to retreat into midfield, freeing herself from her opposing defender through quick, incisive runs stood out.

If a marker got in tight, she used her body well to win free-kicks, assisting the side secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League the prior year, no player was drawn more fouls than the Arsenal striker (fifteen).

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

She uses minimal touches on the ball, directing it away from opposing players marking closely, before finding close colleagues positioned facing towards the goal.

By retaining the ball in difficult scenarios, Russo is often capable to act as an outlet for her team under pressure.

She is able turn difficult passes into extended spells of controlled play and these possessions in the attacking zone lead to goals, several of these she ends up scoring herself.