Female Footballer of the Year Contender Russo

Years Old: 26 Position: Forward Teams: Arsenal and the English national team

Alessia Russo created a legacy with Arsenal as they became the pioneering 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 defence of their European Championship crown.

Russo found the net in the European Championship final and hit top form for her team, making significant contributions all campaign long in front of goal and with her defensive efforts.

The forward was honored as the FWA's top female player for the previous campaign.

She was the Women's Super League's joint top scorer, earning a share of the top scorer award with her rival striker.

Russo netted 12 league goals for Arsenal and set up for a further two.

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

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

"I play my best football when I'm enjoying myself and I'm confident I'm training hard and completing my tasks, so those are aspects that are within my power.

"There's so many different aspects to a striker's role, it requires precision and there are so many fine margins. I'm always still learning. Our staff is excellent here at Arsenal. I have great players to learn off as well. Then when the big games come around, the more you do them, the more comfortable you become."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"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. It was so intense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. The schedule is relentless.

"I think the way that we won during the event was just grit and resilience. And I think that we knew that we had the squad, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"You're playing against 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 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 game plan and what we aimed to achieve.

"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.

"We as athletes in the high press and out of possession, we were really focused on our job at hand. It was a lot of running and plenty of defending. But ultimately that led to success. In my opinion you have to be content winning games like that as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

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

"I think those who teamed up with her would agree and I didn't have the chance of experiencing that. But watching her was someone that I always used to love."

Alessia Russo notched 12 goals in 21 games in the WSL last season to share the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the most clinical players in the competition but Russo was also a constant threat in the penalty area all season long, attempting more efforts (seventy-three) and recording a superior xG (nine point seven) than any other player.

Russo's ability to contribute to the team outside of her goals distinguishes her.

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

Her skill to retreat into midfield, creating space from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements stood out.

If a defender got too close, Russo used her physicality to win free-kicks, helping her team gain settled possession in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League the prior year, no player was fouled more than the forward (fifteen).

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

Russo takes few contacts on the ball, moving it clear from defenders marking closely, before locating close colleagues oriented forward.

By retaining the ball in tough situations, she is often capable to act as an release option for her team under pressure.

She is able convert tough balls into long periods of controlled play and such phases in the attacking zone result in scores, many of which she ends up scoring herself.