Female Footballer of the Year Contender Russo

Years Old: 26 Position: Forward Clubs: Arsenal and England

The talented forward made history with Arsenal as they emerged as the first English team to win the prestigious European competition since the Gunners 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 final and found her groove for her team, playing a crucial role throughout the season as an attacker and with her work off the ball.

Russo was honored as the Football Writers' Association's women's footballer of the year for the previous campaign.

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

Russo netted 12 league goals for Arsenal and provided assists for a couple more.

Her name was put forward for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and selected in the PFA 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 enjoying myself and I'm confident my efforts in practice and I'm getting my work done, so those are aspects that I can always control.

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, it's so detailed and there are so many fine margins. I'm always still learning. Our staff is excellent here at the club. I have great players to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the big games arrive, 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 tested us mentally. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I remember 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. It moves so fast.

"In my view 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.

"Facing the top sides in the world, the elite athletes in the world and occasionally you have to win a little bit dirty."

On the Champions League final:

"The main emotion that I can remember from that entire occasion was just being very composed, like we were confident our preparation was complete, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we trusted the strategy and what we wanted to do.

"Obviously playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not having the ball because they're so talented. When they do have the ball, they retain it frequently.

"We as athletes in the press and out of possession, we were really focused on our assigned tasks. It was a lot of running 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 few times with my father. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. I hope that she could have played longer and she was active today, but she ranks among the greats.

"I think anyone that has played with Kelly would say the same thing and I never got the pleasure of doing that. But watching her was someone that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo scored 12 goals in 21 games in the Women's Super League last season to share the Golden Boot.

She was not just one of the most clinical players in the league but Russo was also a constant threat in the penalty area all season long, attempting more efforts (73) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than all her peers.

Russo's ability to contribute to the team beyond scoring distinguishes her.

Team-mate Mariona Caldentey often delivered forward balls into Russo, so strong hold-up play was necessary.

Russo's ability to retreat into midfield, freeing herself from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements stood out.

If a marker got too close, 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, no player was drawn more fouls than the Arsenal striker (15).

When the ball does stick, her control are extremely efficient. Her frequent scanning of her surroundings means she stays conscious of where rivals are.

She uses minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from defenders applying player-to-player pressure, before finding nearby team-mates positioned facing towards the goal.

By keeping possession in tough situations, Russo is regularly able to act as an release option for her side in trouble.

She can turn difficult passes into long periods of stable possession and these possessions in the opponent's final third lead to goals, several of these she ends up scoring herself.