Female Footballer of the Year Contender Russo

Years Old: 26 Position: Striker Teams: Arsenal and England

Alessia Russo created a legacy with her club as they became the pioneering English team to win 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 continental crown.

She scored in the European Championship showpiece match and found her groove for her team, making significant contributions throughout the season as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

Russo was named the FWA's women's footballer of the year for last season.

She was the WSL's co-leading goalscorer, sharing the top scorer award with Khadija Shaw.

She scored twelve WSL goals for the club and provided assists for a couple more.

She was also nominated for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and selected in the PFA and the Uefa Champions League season's best XIs.

Russo on how she feels she has improved over the previous season:

"My top performances come when I'm having fun and I'm confident my efforts in practice and I'm getting my work done, so those are aspects that are within my power.

"There's so many different aspects to a striker's role, it's so detailed and there are so many fine margins. I'm always still learning. We have great coaches here at Arsenal. I have great players to learn off as well. Then when the important matches arrive, 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 remember after the Sweden [quarter-final] 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 during the event was just grit and resilience. 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 sometimes you have to win a little bit dirty."

Discussing the European final:

"The main emotion that stands out from that entire occasion was just being so calm, like we were confident we'd done the work, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we trusted the game plan and what we aimed to achieve.

"Obviously playing against a side such as Barça, you've got to be comfortable not possessing the ball because their skill is exceptional. When they do have the ball, they don't give it away frequently.

"As players in the high press and defensively, we were really focused on our job at hand. It was a lot of running and a lot of defensive work. But ultimately that's what got the job done. In my opinion you have to be content winning games like that as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I was fortunate of seeing her play a few times with my dad. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. I wish that her career lasted more and she was active today, but she ranks among the greats.

"I believe those who teamed up with her would say the same thing and I didn't have the chance of doing that. But watching her was something that I greatly admired."

The striker scored 12 goals in 21 games in the Women's Super League last season to share the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the most clinical players in the competition but she was also a persistent danger in the penalty area all season long, taking more shots (73) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than all her peers.

Her capability to aid the side beyond scoring sets her apart.

Team-mate Mariona Caldentey regularly played progressive passes into Russo, so strong hold-up play was essential.

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

If a marker got too close, Russo used her body well to draw fouls, assisting the side secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League last season, nobody was fouled more than the forward (15).

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

She uses few contacts on the ball, directing it away from defenders applying player-to-player pressure, before locating nearby team-mates oriented forward.

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

She can convert tough balls into extended spells of controlled play and these possessions in the attacking zone result in scores, several of these she finishes personally.