Women's Footballer of the Year Candidate Russo

Age: 26 Position: Striker Clubs: The Gunners and the English national team

The talented forward made history with Arsenal as they emerged as the first English team to win the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in 2008, and also played a key role in leading England to the successful retention of their continental title.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and found her groove for her club, making significant contributions all campaign long as an attacker and with her work off the ball.

Russo was honored as the Football Writers' Association's top female player for last season.

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

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

Her name was put forward for the prestigious individual award and selected in the Professional Footballers' Association and the European teams of the year.

Her thoughts on personal development over the previous season:

"My top performances come when I'm enjoying myself and I'm confident I'm training hard and I'm getting my work done, so those are aspects that are within my power.

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, it requires precision and there are tiny differences. I continue to develop. We have great coaches here at the club. I have great players to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the important matches 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 tested us mentally. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I recall after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, a lot of us were extremely sore and injured. It was so intense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. It moves so fast.

"I think the way that we won during the event was just determination and toughness. And we were aware that we had the squad, 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."

On the Champions League final:

"The main emotion that I can remember from that whole day was just being very composed, like we knew we'd done the work, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we trusted the game plan and what we aimed to achieve.

"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 that often.

"As players in the high press and defensively, we were really focused on our job at hand. 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."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I was fortunate of seeing her play a couple of occasions with my father. Watching her internationally, too, her talent was remarkable. 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 watching her was something that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo scored 12 goals in twenty-one games in the WSL the previous campaign to divide the Golden Boot.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the competition but Russo was also a constant threat in the penalty area throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (seventy-three) and having a higher expected goals tally (nine point seven) than any other player.

Her capability to aid the side beyond scoring distinguishes her.

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

Her skill to retreat into midfield, creating space from her nearby marker through quick, incisive runs was notable.

If a marker got too close, Russo used her physicality to draw fouls, helping her team secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the Champions' League last season, nobody was drawn more fouls than the forward (15).

When the play settles, Russo's touches are extremely efficient. Her regular awareness of her environment means she stays conscious of where opponents are.

She uses few contacts on the ball, directing it away from opposing players applying player-to-player pressure, before locating close colleagues positioned facing towards the goal.

By keeping possession in tough situations, Russo is regularly able to act as an outlet for her side in trouble.

She can turn difficult passes into extended spells of stable possession and these possessions in the attacking zone lead to goals, many of which she ends up scoring herself.