Female Footballer of the Year Candidate Russo

Age: 26 Position: Striker Teams: Arsenal and the English national team

The talented forward made history with Arsenal as they became the first British team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the North London side did in 2008, and also helped guide the Lionesses to the successful retention of their European Championship crown.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 final and found her groove for her team, playing a crucial role throughout the season in front of goal and with her defensive efforts.

The forward was honored as the FWA's women's footballer of the year for the previous campaign.

She was the WSL's joint top scorer, earning a share of the top scorer award with her rival striker.

Russo netted 12 WSL goals for the club and set up for a further two.

Her name was put forward for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and selected in the Professional Footballers' Association and the European teams of the year.

Her thoughts on personal development over the previous season:

"My top performances come when I'm having fun and I'm confident I'm training hard and I'm getting my work done, so that's something that are within my power.

"There's so many different aspects to a number nine position, it requires precision and there are tiny differences. I'm always still learning. Our staff is excellent here at Arsenal. There are top teammates to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the important matches come around, the more you do them, the more comfortable you become."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The entire competition was a complete rollercoaster. There were ups and downs. It tested us mentally. We were physically drained.

"I recall after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, many players were really, really battered and bruised. 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 grit and resilience. And we were aware that we had the team, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

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

Discussing the European final:

"The overriding feeling that stands out from that entire occasion was just being very composed, like we knew our preparation was complete, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we trusted the strategy and what we wanted to do.

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

"As players in the press and defensively, we were highly concentrated on our job at hand. It was a lot of running and a lot of defensive work. 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 was fortunate of watching her a few times with my father. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. I wish that her career lasted more and still be playing now, but she was one of the best ever.

"I think those who teamed up with her would say the same thing and I didn't have the chance of experiencing that. But observing her play was something that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo scored twelve goals in twenty-one games in the Women's Super League last season to share the scoring award.

She was not just one of the deadliest players in the league but she was also a constant threat in the box all season long, attempting more efforts (seventy-three) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than any other player.

Her capability to contribute to the team outside of her goals distinguishes her.

Team-mate a teammate regularly played forward balls into her, so effective ball retention was necessary.

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

If a marker got too close, she used her body well to draw fouls, helping her team gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the European tournament last season, nobody was drawn more fouls than the Arsenal striker (fifteen).

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.

She uses few contacts on the ball, directing it away from defenders marking closely, before finding nearby team-mates oriented forward.

By retaining the ball in difficult scenarios, she is regularly able to act as an outlet for her side in trouble.

She can convert tough balls into extended spells of controlled play and such phases in the attacking zone result in scores, many of which she ends up scoring herself.