Women's Footballer of the Year Candidate Russo

Age: 26 Playing Role: Forward Clubs: Arsenal and the English national team

Alessia Russo made history with Arsenal as they became the pioneering 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 continental title.

Russo found the net in the European Championship showpiece match and found her groove for her team, playing a crucial role throughout the season as an attacker and with her work off the ball.

Russo was named the Football Writers' Association's top female player for the previous campaign.

Russo finished as the Women's Super League's joint top scorer, earning a share of the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

Russo netted 12 WSL goals for the club and set up for a couple more.

She was also nominated for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and selected in the PFA and the Uefa Champions League teams of the year.

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

"My top performances come when I'm enjoying myself and I'm confident I'm training hard and completing my tasks, so that's something that are within my power.

"There's so many different aspects to a striker's role, it requires precision and there are tiny differences. I'm always still learning. We have great coaches here at the club. There are top teammates to learn off as well. Then when the big games come around, the greater your experience, the more comfortable you become."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The whole tournament was a complete rollercoaster. There were ups and downs. It was emotionally really hard. We were physically drained.

"I recall after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, many players were extremely sore and injured. 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 determination and toughness. And I think that we knew 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 so calm, like we knew our preparation was complete, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we believed in the strategy and what we aimed to achieve.

"Obviously playing against a team like Barcelona, you must accept not possessing the ball because they're so talented. When they do have the ball, they don't give it away frequently.

"As players in the press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our job at hand. It was a lot of running and a lot of defensive work. But in the end that led to success. I think that you have to be OK securing victories in that manner as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I was fortunate of watching her a few times with my father. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. I wish that she could have played longer and still be playing now, but she ranks among the greats.

"I believe anyone that has played with Kelly would agree and I never got the pleasure of experiencing that. But observing her play was someone that I greatly admired."

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

She was not just one of the deadliest players in the competition but Russo was also a constant threat 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 distinguishes her.

Team-mate Mariona Caldentey often delivered progressive passes into her, so effective ball retention was necessary.

Russo's ability to retreat into midfield, creating space from her nearby marker through quick, incisive runs was notable.

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 last season, no player was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (fifteen).

When the ball does stick, her control are highly effective. Her frequent scanning 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 finding nearby team-mates oriented forward.

By retaining the ball in tough situations, she is regularly able to act as an outlet for her team under pressure.

She is able convert tough balls into extended spells of controlled play and such phases in the attacking zone lead to goals, many of which she finishes personally.