Women's Footballer of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

Age: 26 Playing Role: Forward Teams: The Gunners and England

The talented forward created a legacy with Arsenal as they emerged as the pioneering British team to win the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in 2008, and also played a key role in leading England to the defence of their European Championship crown.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 final and found her groove for her team, making significant contributions throughout the season as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

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

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

Russo netted 12 league 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 Uefa Champions League teams of the year.

Russo on how she feels she has improved over the past year:

"My top performances come when I'm enjoying myself and I'm confident I'm training hard and I'm getting my work done, so those are aspects that are within my power.

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, it's so detailed and there are so many fine margins. I'm always still learning. Our staff is excellent here at Arsenal. There are top teammates to learn off 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 was emotionally really hard. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I recall after the last-eight game, a lot of us were extremely sore and injured. 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 throughout that whole tournament was just determination and toughness. And we were aware that we had the team, we knew that we had what it takes.

"Facing the top sides in the world, the best players in the world and sometimes you have to win a little bit dirty."

Discussing the European final:

"The overriding feeling 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 what it takes, and we knew that we trusted the game plan and what we aimed to achieve.

"Obviously playing against a side such as Barça, you've got to be comfortable not possessing the ball because their skill is exceptional. When in possession, they don't give it away frequently.

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

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I was fortunate of seeing her play a few times with my father. Watching her internationally, too, she was just incredible. I hope that her career lasted more and she was active today, but she ranks among the greats.

"I believe those who teamed up with her would agree and I didn't have the chance of doing that. But watching her was someone that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo notched twelve goals in 21 games in the Women's Super League the previous campaign to share the Golden Boot.

Not only was she one of the most clinical players in the competition but she was also a constant threat in the penalty area throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (nine point seven) 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 Russo, so effective ball retention was necessary.

Her skill to retreat into midfield, freeing herself from her nearby marker through sharp, darting movements stood out.

If a marker got in tight, she used her body well to win free-kicks, helping her team secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the Champions' League last season, nobody was drawn more fouls than the Arsenal striker (fifteen).

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

Russo takes few contacts on the ball, moving it clear from defenders marking closely, before locating close colleagues positioned facing towards the goal.

By keeping possession in tough situations, she is often capable to act as an outlet for her team under pressure.

She is able turn difficult passes into extended spells of stable possession and these possessions in the opponent's final third result in scores, many of which she ends up scoring herself.