Female Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Russo

Age: 26 Position: Forward Clubs: The Gunners and the English national team

Alessia Russo created a legacy with her club as they emerged as the first English team to win the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in the 2000s, and also helped guide the Lionesses to the successful retention of their European Championship title.

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

The forward was named the Football Writers' Association's women's footballer of the year for last season.

Russo finished as the WSL's joint top scorer, earning a share of the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

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

She was also nominated for the prestigious individual award and selected in the PFA and the Uefa Champions League teams of the year.

Her thoughts on personal development over the previous season:

"My top performances come when I'm having fun and I know my efforts in practice and completing my tasks, so those are aspects that are within my power.

"There's so many different aspects to a number nine position, it requires precision 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 important matches come around, the more you do them, the more comfortable you become."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The entire competition was a total emotional ride. There were ups and downs. It was emotionally really hard. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I recall after the last-eight game, a lot of us were really, really battered and bruised. The pressure was immense. But recovery had to be swift. It moves so fast.

"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 the necessary qualities.

"You're playing against the best teams in the world, the best players in the world and sometimes you have to win a little bit dirty."

On the Champions League final:

"The overriding feeling that stands out 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 game plan and what we aimed to achieve.

"Naturally playing against a side such as Barça, you've got to be comfortable not possessing the ball because their skill is exceptional. When in possession, they retain it that often.

"As players in the high 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 in the end that's what got the job done. I think that 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 father. Watching her internationally, too, she was just incredible. I wish that she could have played longer and she was active today, but she was one of the best ever.

"I believe 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 notched twelve goals in twenty-one games in the WSL the previous campaign to divide the Golden Boot.

She was not just one of the deadliest players in the competition but she was also a constant threat in the box throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (73) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than all her peers.

Russo's ability to aid the side outside of her goals sets her apart.

Team-mate a teammate often delivered forward balls into her, so strong hold-up play was essential.

Her skill to retreat into midfield, freeing herself from her opposing defender through quick, incisive runs was notable.

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

When the play settles, her control are extremely efficient. Her regular awareness of her environment means she stays conscious of where opponents are.

She uses minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from defenders marking closely, before locating close colleagues positioned facing towards the goal.

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

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