Women's Footballer of the Year Candidate Russo

Years Old: 26 Playing Role: Striker Teams: Arsenal and the English national team

The talented forward made history with Arsenal as they emerged as the pioneering British team to win the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in the 2000s, and also played a key role in leading England to the defence of their European Championship title.

She scored in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and hit top form for her club, making significant contributions throughout the season in front of goal and with her defensive efforts.

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

Russo finished as the WSL's joint top scorer, sharing the top scorer award with her rival striker.

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

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

Her thoughts on personal development over the previous season:

"I play my best football when I'm enjoying myself and I'm confident my efforts in practice and I'm getting my work done, so that's something that I can always control.

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, it requires precision and there are tiny differences. I'm always still learning. Our staff is excellent here at Arsenal. I have great players to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the important matches come around, the greater your experience, the more you get used to them."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The entire competition was a complete rollercoaster. It was highs and lows. It was emotionally really hard. We were physically drained.

"I remember after the last-eight game, many players were really, really battered and bruised. It was so intense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. It moves so fast.

"In my view 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 what it takes.

"Facing the top sides in the world, the elite athletes in the world and occasionally you have to grind out results."

Discussing the European final:

"The main emotion that stands out 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 believed in the strategy and what we wanted to do.

"Naturally 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 retain it frequently.

"We as athletes in the press and out of possession, we were really focused on our job at hand. There was extensive movement and plenty of defending. But in the end 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, she was just incredible. I wish that her career lasted more and she was active today, but she was one of the best ever.

"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 something that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo scored twelve goals in 21 games in the WSL the previous campaign to share the scoring award.

She was not just one of the most clinical players in the league but Russo was also a constant threat in the box throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (seventy-three) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than any other player.

Her capability to contribute to the team beyond scoring distinguishes her.

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

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

If a defender got too close, she used her physicality to draw fouls, helping her team secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League last season, nobody was fouled more than the forward (15).

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

She uses minimal touches on the ball, directing it away from defenders applying player-to-player pressure, before finding nearby team-mates oriented forward.

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

She is able convert tough balls into long periods of controlled play and such phases in the attacking zone lead to goals, several of these she ends up scoring herself.