Women's Soccer Player of the Year Contender Russo

Age: 26 Position: Striker Teams: The Gunners and England

Alessia Russo made history with her club as they emerged as the pioneering British team to win the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in 2008, and also played a key role in leading England to the defence of their European Championship crown.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and found her groove for her team, making significant contributions throughout the season in front of goal and with her defensive efforts.

The forward was honored as the FWA's top female player for last season.

She was the WSL's co-leading goalscorer, earning a share of the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

She scored twelve WSL goals for the club and provided assists for a further two.

She was also nominated for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and named in the Professional Footballers' Association and the European season's best XIs.

Russo on how she feels she has improved over the past year:

"I play my best football when I'm enjoying myself and I'm confident I'm training hard and I'm getting my work done, so that's something that are within my power.

"Numerous elements 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 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 whole tournament 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, many players were really, really battered and bruised. The pressure was immense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. The schedule is relentless.

"In my view the way that we won during the event was just determination and toughness. And I think that we knew that we had the squad, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"Facing the best teams 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 whole day was just being so calm, like we knew we'd done the work, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we believed in the strategy and what we wanted to do.

"Naturally playing against a team like Barcelona, you've got to be comfortable not having the ball because they're so talented. When they do have the ball, they retain it frequently.

"As players in the press and defensively, we were really focused on our assigned tasks. It was a lot of running and a lot of defensive work. But ultimately that led to success. In my opinion you have to be OK securing victories in that manner as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I was fortunate of seeing her play a couple of occasions with my dad. 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 believe those who teamed up with her would agree and I never got the pleasure of experiencing that. But observing her play was something that I always used to love."

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

She was not just one of the deadliest players in the league but she was also a constant threat in the penalty area all season long, attempting more efforts (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (nine point seven) than all her peers.

Russo's ability to aid the side beyond scoring sets her apart.

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

Her skill 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 secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the European tournament the prior year, nobody was drawn more fouls than the forward (15).

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

She uses minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from defenders marking closely, before locating nearby team-mates positioned facing towards the goal.

By retaining the ball in tough situations, she is regularly able to act as an release option for her side in trouble.

She is able turn difficult passes into long periods of stable possession and these possessions in the opponent's final third lead to goals, many of which she finishes personally.