Women's Footballer of the Year Contender Russo

Years Old: 26 Position: Forward Teams: Arsenal and England

The talented forward made history with Arsenal as they emerged as the first British team to win the Women's Champions League since the North London side did in 2008, and also played a key role in leading England to the successful retention of their continental title.

She scored in the European Championship showpiece match and hit top form for her team, playing a crucial role throughout the season as an attacker and with her work off the ball.

The forward was named the FWA's women's footballer of the year for last season.

She was the WSL's joint top scorer, sharing the top scorer award with her rival striker.

She scored twelve WSL goals for the club and provided assists for a further two.

Her name was put forward for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and selected in the Professional Footballers' Association and the European teams of the year.

Her thoughts on personal development over the past year:

"My top performances come when I'm having fun and I know my efforts in practice and completing my tasks, so those are aspects that are within my power.

"There's so many different aspects to a striker's role, it requires precision and there are so many fine margins. I continue to develop. We have great coaches here at the club. I have great players to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the important matches arrive, the more you do them, the more comfortable you become."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The whole tournament was a complete rollercoaster. There were ups and downs. 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. The pressure was immense. But recovery had to be swift. The schedule is relentless.

"In my view the way that we won throughout that whole tournament was just determination and toughness. And I think that we knew that we had the squad, 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 win a little bit dirty."

Discussing the European final:

"The overriding feeling 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 trusted the strategy and what we aimed to achieve.

"Obviously playing against a team like Barcelona, you've got to be comfortable not having the ball because they're so talented. When they do have the ball, they retain it frequently.

"As players in the high press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement and plenty of defending. But ultimately that's what got the job done. I think that you have to be content winning games like that as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I got the pleasure of seeing her play a few times with my father. Seeing her for England, too, her talent was remarkable. I wish that her career lasted more and she was active today, but she was one of the best ever.

"I believe those who teamed up with her would agree and I didn't have the chance of doing that. But observing her play was something that I always used to love."

Alessia Russo notched 12 goals in 21 games in the WSL the previous campaign to share the scoring award.

She was not just one of the deadliest players in the league but Russo was also a persistent danger in the penalty area all season long, attempting more efforts (73) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than any other player.

Russo's ability to aid the side beyond scoring sets her apart.

Fellow player a teammate regularly played progressive passes into her, so effective ball retention was essential.

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

If a defender got too close, she used her body well to win free-kicks, assisting the side secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the Champions' League the prior year, no player was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (15).

When the ball does stick, Russo's touches are highly effective. Her frequent scanning of her surroundings means she stays conscious of where rivals are.

She uses few contacts on the ball, directing it away from opposing players marking closely, before locating nearby team-mates positioned facing towards the goal.

By keeping possession in difficult scenarios, she is regularly able to act as an outlet for her team under pressure.

She is able convert tough balls into extended spells of controlled play and such phases in the attacking zone result in scores, many of which she finishes personally.