Female Footballer of the Year Contender Russo

Age: 26 Playing Role: Forward Clubs: Arsenal and England

Alessia Russo made history with her club as they became the pioneering British team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in 2008, and also helped guide England to the successful retention of their continental title.

She scored in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and found her groove for her team, making significant contributions throughout the season as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

Russo was honored as the Football Writers' Association's top female player for last season.

Russo finished as the WSL's joint top scorer, sharing the Golden Boot with Khadija Shaw.

Russo netted 12 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 Professional Footballers' Association and the Uefa Champions League teams of the year.

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 those are aspects that I can always control.

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, it requires precision and there are tiny differences. I'm always still learning. We have great coaches here at the club. There are top teammates to learn off as well. Then when the important matches come around, the greater your experience, the more you get used to them."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The entire competition was a complete rollercoaster. It was highs and lows. It tested us mentally. We were physically drained.

"I remember 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.

"In my view the way that we won during the event was just grit and resilience. And we were aware that we had the team, 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 win a little bit dirty."

On the Champions League final:

"The overriding feeling that I can remember from that whole day was just being very composed, like we were confident our preparation was complete, we knew that we had what it takes, 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 their skill is exceptional. When in possession, they don't give it away frequently.

"We as athletes in the high press and out of possession, we were really focused on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement and a lot of defensive work. But in the end that led to success. I think that you have to be OK securing victories in that manner as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"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 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 agree and I didn't have the chance of doing that. But watching her was someone that I greatly admired."

The striker scored twelve goals in 21 games in the WSL the previous campaign 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 throughout the campaign, taking more shots (73) and recording a superior xG (nine point seven) than any other player.

Her capability to contribute to the team beyond scoring sets her apart.

Fellow player a teammate regularly played progressive passes into Russo, so strong hold-up play was essential.

Her skill to drop deep, freeing herself from her opposing defender through quick, incisive runs stood out.

If a marker got too close, Russo used her physicality to draw fouls, helping her team gain settled possession in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League last season, nobody was fouled more than the forward (15).

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

She uses minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from defenders marking closely, before finding close colleagues positioned facing towards the goal.

By keeping possession in difficult scenarios, she is regularly able to act as an release option for her side in trouble.

She is able turn difficult passes into long periods of controlled play and such phases in the attacking zone result in scores, several of these she ends up scoring herself.