Female Footballer of the Year Candidate Russo

Years Old: 26 Playing Role: Forward Clubs: Arsenal and England

Alessia Russo made history with Arsenal as they emerged as the pioneering English team to win the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in 2008, and also played a key role in leading England to the successful retention of their continental crown.

She scored in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and hit top form for her team, playing a crucial role all campaign long as an attacker 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 Women's Super League's joint top scorer, earning a share of the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

Russo netted 12 league goals for the club and set up for a couple more.

She was also nominated for the prestigious individual award and selected in the Professional Footballers' Association and the European season's best XIs.

Her thoughts on personal development over the past year:

"I play my best football when I'm enjoying myself and I know I'm training hard and I'm getting my work done, so those are aspects that are within my power.

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, it requires precision and there are so many fine margins. I'm always still learning. 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 you get used to them."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The whole tournament was a total emotional ride. 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 extremely sore and injured. It was so intense. But recovery had to be swift. It moves so fast.

"I think the way that we won during the event was just determination and toughness. And we were aware that we had the squad, 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 main emotion 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 the ability, and we knew that we believed in the strategy and what we wanted to do.

"Naturally playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not possessing the ball because they're so talented. When they do have the ball, they retain it that often.

"We as athletes in the press and out of possession, we were really focused on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement and plenty of defending. But in the end that led to success. In my opinion 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, she was just incredible. I hope that she could have played longer and still be playing now, but she ranks among the greats.

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

The striker scored twelve goals in 21 games in the WSL last season to divide the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the most clinical players in the league but she was also a persistent danger in the box all season long, attempting more efforts (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than all her peers.

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

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

Russo's ability to drop deep, creating space from her nearby marker through quick, incisive runs stood out.

If a defender got in tight, Russo used her physicality to draw fouls, assisting the side gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the European tournament last season, no player was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (fifteen).

When the ball does stick, Russo's touches are extremely efficient. Her frequent scanning of her surroundings means she remains aware of where opponents are.

Russo takes few contacts on the ball, directing it away from defenders applying player-to-player pressure, before locating close colleagues oriented forward.

By keeping possession in difficult scenarios, Russo is often capable to act as an outlet for her team under pressure.

She can turn difficult passes into extended spells of controlled play and these possessions in the opponent's final third lead to goals, several of these she ends up scoring herself.