Women's Footballer of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

Years Old: 26 Position: Forward Clubs: The Gunners and England

The talented forward created a legacy with Arsenal as they became the first English team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in the 2000s, and also helped guide the Lionesses to the defence of their European Championship crown.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 final and hit top form for her team, making significant contributions throughout the season as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

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

She was the Women's Super League's joint top scorer, sharing the top scorer award with Khadija Shaw.

She scored 12 league goals for Arsenal and set up for a further two.

Her name was put forward for the prestigious individual award and named in the PFA and the European teams of the year.

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

"My top performances come when I'm enjoying myself and I know my efforts in practice 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's so detailed and there are so many fine margins. I continue to develop. Our staff is excellent here at the club. I have great players to learn off as well. Then when the important matches arrive, the greater your experience, the more you get used to them."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The whole tournament was a total emotional ride. It was highs and lows. It tested us mentally. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I recall after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, a lot of us were really, really battered and bruised. It was so intense. But recovery had to be swift. The schedule is relentless.

"I think the way that we won throughout that whole tournament was just grit and resilience. And I think that we knew that we had the team, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"Facing the top sides in the world, the best players in the world and sometimes you have to win a little bit dirty."

Discussing the European final:

"The main emotion that I can remember 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.

"Naturally playing against a team like Barcelona, you must accept not possessing the ball because their skill is exceptional. When they do have the ball, they retain it that often.

"As players in the high press and defensively, we were really focused on our assigned tasks. It was a lot of running and plenty of defending. But in the end that led to success. I think that you have to be OK securing victories in that manner as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I was fortunate 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 she was active today, but she ranks among the greats.

"I believe anyone that has played with Kelly would agree and I didn't have the chance of doing that. But observing her play was someone that I greatly admired."

The striker notched 12 goals in 21 games in the WSL the previous campaign to divide the Golden Boot.

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 having a higher expected goals tally (nine point seven) than any other player.

Russo's ability to contribute to the team beyond scoring sets her apart.

Fellow player a teammate regularly played progressive passes into Russo, so strong hold-up play was essential.

Her skill to drop deep, creating space from her nearby marker through sharp, darting movements stood out.

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 Champions' League the prior year, nobody was drawn more fouls than the Arsenal striker (fifteen).

When the play settles, her control are highly effective. Her regular awareness of her surroundings means she remains aware of where opponents are.

Russo takes few contacts on the ball, directing it away from defenders applying player-to-player pressure, before finding close colleagues oriented forward.

By retaining the ball in tough situations, she is often capable to act as an outlet for her side in trouble.

She is able convert tough balls into extended spells of stable possession and these possessions in the attacking zone lead to goals, several of these she finishes personally.