Women's Footballer of the Year Contender Russo

Age: 26 Playing Role: Striker Teams: Arsenal and the English national team

Alessia Russo created a legacy with her club as they became the first British team to win the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in the 2000s, and also played a key role in leading England to the successful retention of their continental crown.

She scored in the Euro 2025 final and hit top form for her team, making significant contributions all campaign long in front of goal and with her work off the ball.

The forward was honored as the Football Writers' Association's top female player for the previous campaign.

She was the Women's Super League's joint top scorer, earning a share of the top scorer award with Khadija Shaw.

Russo netted twelve league goals for the club and set up for a further two.

She was also nominated for the prestigious individual award and selected in the Professional Footballers' Association and the European teams of the year.

Her thoughts on personal development over the previous season:

"I play my best football when I'm having fun and I know my efforts in practice and completing my tasks, so that's something that I can always control.

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, 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 learn off as well. Then when the big games arrive, the greater your experience, the more you get used to them."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The entire competition was a total emotional ride. There were ups and downs. It tested us mentally. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I recall after the last-eight game, many players were extremely sore and injured. 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 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 grind out results."

On the Champions League final:

"The main emotion that stands out from that whole day 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 believed in the strategy and what we aimed to achieve.

"Obviously playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not having the ball because their skill is exceptional. When they do have the ball, they don't give it away that often.

"We as athletes in the high press and defensively, we were really focused on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement and plenty of defending. But ultimately that's what got the job done. In my opinion you have to be OK winning games like that as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I got the pleasure of seeing her play a couple of occasions with my dad. Watching her internationally, too, she was just incredible. I hope that her career lasted more and still be playing now, but she ranks among the greats.

"I think anyone that has played with Kelly would agree and I never got the pleasure 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 deadliest players in the competition but Russo was also a constant threat in the penalty area throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (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.

Fellow player Mariona Caldentey often delivered progressive passes into her, so effective ball retention was essential.

Russo's ability to drop deep, creating space from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements stood out.

If a defender got too close, Russo used her physicality to win free-kicks, helping her team secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League last season, nobody was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (15).

When the ball does stick, her control are extremely efficient. Her regular awareness of her environment means she remains aware of where rivals are.

She uses minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from opposing players marking closely, before finding close colleagues oriented forward.

By retaining the ball in tough situations, Russo is often capable to act as an release option for her team under pressure.

She is able turn difficult passes into extended spells of controlled play and such phases in the opponent's final third lead to goals, several of these she finishes personally.