Women's Footballer of the Year Contender Russo

Age: 26 Position: Forward Clubs: The Gunners and the English national team

The talented forward made history with her club as they became the first British team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in the 2000s, and also helped guide England to the defence of their continental crown.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and hit top form for her team, making significant contributions throughout the season 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 the previous campaign.

She was the WSL's joint top scorer, sharing the Golden Boot with Khadija Shaw.

Russo netted 12 league goals for Arsenal and provided assists for a further two.

She was also nominated for the prestigious individual award and selected in the PFA and the Uefa Champions League teams of the year.

Her thoughts on personal development over the past year:

"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.

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, it requires precision and there are tiny differences. I continue to develop. We have great coaches here at the club. There are top teammates to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the big games come around, the more you do them, the more you get used to them."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The entire competition was a total emotional ride. It was highs and lows. It tested us mentally. We were physically drained.

"I recall after the last-eight game, a lot of us were really, really battered and bruised. It was so intense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. The schedule is relentless.

"I think the way that we won during the event was just determination and toughness. And I think that we knew that we had the team, we knew that we had what it takes.

"Facing the top sides in the world, the elite athletes in the world and occasionally you have to grind out results."

On the Champions League final:

"The main emotion that stands out from that whole day was just being very composed, like we were confident 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 wanted to do.

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

"As players in the press and out of possession, we were really focused on our assigned tasks. It was a lot of running and a lot of defensive work. But in the end that's what got the job done. I think that 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. Watching her internationally, too, her talent was remarkable. I wish that she could have played longer and she was active today, but she ranks among the greats.

"I think those who teamed up with her would say the same thing and I didn't have the chance of doing that. But watching her was something that I always used to love."

Alessia Russo notched twelve 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 she 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 beyond scoring distinguishes her.

Fellow player Mariona Caldentey regularly played progressive passes into Russo, so strong hold-up play was necessary.

Her skill to drop deep, creating space from her nearby marker through quick, incisive runs stood out.

If a defender got too close, she used her physicality to draw fouls, helping her team secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League the prior year, nobody was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (fifteen).

When the play settles, Russo's touches are extremely efficient. Her regular awareness of her surroundings means she remains aware of where opponents are.

She uses few contacts on the ball, moving it clear from defenders applying player-to-player pressure, before finding close colleagues oriented forward.

By retaining the ball in tough situations, Russo is often capable to act as an release option for her team under pressure.

She is able turn difficult passes into extended spells of controlled play and such phases in the opponent's final third result in scores, many of which she ends up scoring herself.