Female Soccer Player of the Year Contender Russo

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

The talented forward created a legacy with Arsenal as they emerged as the first British team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the Gunners did in the 2000s, and also played a key role in leading England to the successful retention of their continental crown.

She scored in the Euro 2025 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.

The forward was named the Football Writers' Association's top female player for last season.

She was the Women's Super League's co-leading goalscorer, sharing the Golden Boot with Khadija Shaw.

She scored twelve league goals for the club and set up for a couple more.

She was also nominated for the prestigious individual award and named in the PFA and the Uefa Champions League season's best XIs.

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

"I play my best football when I'm having fun and I'm confident I'm training hard and I'm getting my work done, so those are aspects that I can always control.

"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 gain knowledge from as well. Then when the big games 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. There were ups and downs. It was emotionally really hard. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I recall after the last-eight game, many players were really, really battered and bruised. The pressure was immense. But recovery had to be swift. The schedule is relentless.

"I think the way that we won throughout that whole tournament was just determination and toughness. And I think that we knew that we had the squad, we knew that we had what it takes.

"You're playing against the best teams 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 stands out from that entire occasion was just being very composed, like we were confident 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.

"Naturally playing against a side such as Barça, you've got to be comfortable not having the ball because their skill is exceptional. When they do have the ball, they don't give it away frequently.

"As players in the press and defensively, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement and a lot of defensive work. But ultimately that's what got the job done. In my opinion you have to be content securing victories in that manner as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I was fortunate of seeing her play a few times with my father. Watching her internationally, 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 think anyone that has played with Kelly would agree and I didn't have the chance of experiencing that. But watching her was something that I always used to love."

Alessia Russo notched twelve goals in 21 games in the WSL the previous campaign to share the Golden Boot.

Not only was she one of the most clinical players in the league but she was also a constant threat in the box throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (73) and recording a superior xG (nine point seven) than all her peers.

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

Fellow player a teammate often delivered forward balls into Russo, so strong hold-up play was essential.

Her skill to retreat into midfield, freeing herself from her nearby marker through sharp, darting movements stood out.

If a defender got in tight, Russo used her body well to draw fouls, helping her team gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the Champions' League last season, nobody was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (fifteen).

When the play settles, Russo's touches are highly effective. Her regular awareness of her environment means she remains aware of where opponents are.

She uses minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from defenders marking closely, before finding close colleagues positioned facing towards the goal.

By retaining the ball in difficult scenarios, she is often capable to act as an release option for her side in trouble.

She is able convert tough balls into extended spells of controlled play and such phases in the opponent's final third result in scores, several of these she ends up scoring herself.