Female Footballer of the Year Contender Russo

Age: 26 Position: Striker Teams: Arsenal and England

The talented forward created a legacy with Arsenal as they became the first British team to win the Women's Champions League since the North London side did in 2008, and also helped guide England to the successful retention of their European Championship title.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and hit top form for her team, making significant contributions all campaign long as an attacker and with her work off the ball.

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

She was the WSL's co-leading goalscorer, 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 named in the Professional Footballers' Association 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'm confident 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 tiny differences. I'm always still learning. Our staff is excellent here at Arsenal. I have great players to learn off as well. Then when the important matches come around, the more you do them, the more comfortable you become."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The entire competition was a total emotional ride. There were ups and downs. It was emotionally really hard. It was taxing on our bodies.

"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 during the event was just grit and resilience. And I think that we knew that we had the team, we knew that we had what it takes.

"You're playing against the top sides in the world, the best players 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 entire occasion was just being very composed, like we knew our preparation was complete, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we believed in the game plan and what we wanted to do.

"Obviously playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not having the ball because their skill is exceptional. When in possession, they retain it frequently.

"As players in the press and defensively, we were really focused on our job at hand. It was a lot of running and plenty of defending. But ultimately that led to success. I think that you have to be OK winning games like that as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I was fortunate of watching her a few times with my father. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. I hope that her career lasted more 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 something that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo notched twelve goals in twenty-one games in the Women's Super League last season to divide the scoring award.

She was not just one of the deadliest players in the league but Russo was also a constant threat in the penalty area all season long, taking more shots (seventy-three) and recording a superior xG (nine point seven) than all her peers.

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 drop deep, creating space from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements stood out.

If a marker got too close, Russo used her physicality to draw fouls, helping her team secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the European tournament the prior year, no player was drawn more fouls than the Arsenal striker (15).

When the ball does stick, her control are highly effective. Her regular awareness of her environment means she stays conscious of where opponents are.

Russo takes few contacts on the ball, moving it clear from opposing players marking closely, before finding close colleagues oriented forward.

By keeping possession in difficult scenarios, Russo is often capable to act as an outlet for her side in trouble.

She is able convert tough balls into extended spells of controlled play and these possessions in the opponent's final third result in scores, many of which she ends up scoring herself.