Female Footballer of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

Age: 26 Playing Role: Striker Clubs: The Gunners and England

Alessia Russo created a legacy with Arsenal as they emerged as the pioneering English team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in 2008, and also helped guide England to the successful retention of their European Championship crown.

She scored in the European Championship final and hit top form for her team, playing a crucial role throughout the season as an attacker and with her work off the ball.

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

She was the Women's Super League's joint top scorer, sharing the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

Russo netted 12 WSL goals for Arsenal and provided assists for a further two.

Her name was put forward for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and selected in the PFA and the European season's best XIs.

Her thoughts on personal development over the past year:

"My top performances come when I'm enjoying myself and I know my efforts in practice and completing my tasks, 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 so many fine margins. I'm always still learning. 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."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The entire competition was a total emotional ride. There were ups and downs. It was emotionally really hard. We were physically drained.

"I remember after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, a lot of us were extremely sore and injured. The pressure was immense. But recovery had to be swift. The schedule is relentless.

"I think 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 best teams in the world, the best players in the world and occasionally you have to win a little bit dirty."

Discussing the European final:

"The main emotion that I can remember from that whole day was just being so calm, like we were confident our preparation was complete, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we believed in the game plan and what we wanted to do.

"Naturally playing against a team like Barcelona, you've got to be comfortable not possessing the ball because their skill is exceptional. When in possession, they retain it frequently.

"We as athletes in the press and defensively, we were really focused on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement and a lot of defensive work. But in the end that led to success. In my opinion you have to be content 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 father. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. I hope that her career lasted more and still be playing now, but she was one of the best ever.

"I believe 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 12 goals in twenty-one games in the Women's Super League last season to divide the Golden Boot.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the competition but Russo was also a persistent danger in the penalty area throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (73) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than all her peers.

Her capability to aid the side outside of her goals distinguishes her.

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

Russo's ability to drop deep, creating space from her opposing defender through quick, incisive runs was notable.

If a defender got too close, Russo used her physicality to win free-kicks, assisting the side secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the European tournament last season, no player was fouled more than the forward (15).

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

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, directing it away from defenders marking closely, before locating close colleagues positioned facing towards the goal.

By retaining the ball in difficult scenarios, she is regularly able to act as an release option for her team under pressure.

She is able convert tough balls into extended spells of stable possession and these possessions in the opponent's final third result in scores, many of which she finishes personally.