Women's Footballer of the Year Contender Russo

Age: 26 Position: Striker Teams: The Gunners and England

Alessia Russo made history with Arsenal as they emerged as the pioneering British team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the North London side did in the 2000s, 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 found her groove for her club, making significant contributions throughout the season in front of goal and with her defensive efforts.

Russo was honored as the FWA's women's footballer of the year for last season.

Russo finished as the WSL's joint top scorer, sharing the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

She scored 12 WSL goals for Arsenal and set up for a further two.

She was also nominated for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and selected in the PFA and the European season's best XIs.

Russo on how she feels she has improved over the previous season:

"I play my best football when I'm having fun and I'm confident I'm training hard and I'm getting my work done, so those are aspects that I can always control.

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, it's so detailed and there are so many fine margins. I continue to develop. Our staff is excellent here at the club. There are top teammates to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the big games 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. There were ups and downs. It was emotionally really hard. We were physically drained.

"I recall after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, many players were extremely sore and injured. It was so intense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. The schedule is relentless.

"I think the way that we won throughout that whole tournament was just grit and resilience. And we were aware that we had the squad, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"You're playing against the best teams in the world, the best players in the world and occasionally you have to grind out results."

On the Champions League final:

"The overriding feeling that stands out from that entire occasion was just being so calm, like we knew 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 wanted to do.

"Obviously playing against a team like Barcelona, you must accept not possessing the ball because their skill is exceptional. When they do have the ball, they retain it frequently.

"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 ultimately that led to success. I think that you have to be content winning games like that as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I was fortunate of watching her a few times with my dad. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. I wish that she could have played longer and still be playing now, but she ranks among the greats.

"I think 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."

The striker scored twelve goals in 21 games in the Women's Super League the previous campaign to divide the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the league but she was also a persistent danger in the penalty area throughout the campaign, taking more shots (73) and recording a superior xG (nine point seven) than all her peers.

Russo's ability to contribute to the team outside of her goals sets her apart.

Fellow player Mariona Caldentey often delivered forward balls into Russo, so effective ball retention was necessary.

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

If a marker got in tight, she used her body well to draw fouls, assisting the side secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the European tournament the prior year, no player was drawn more fouls than the forward (15).

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

Russo takes few contacts on the ball, directing it away from defenders marking closely, before finding close colleagues positioned facing towards the goal.

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

She is able convert tough balls into long periods of stable possession and such phases in the attacking zone lead to goals, many of which she finishes personally.