Women's Footballer of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

Age: 26 Position: Forward Clubs: Arsenal and the English national team

The talented forward made history with Arsenal as they emerged as the pioneering British team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the North London side did in 2008, and also helped guide the Lionesses to the defence of their continental title.

Russo found the net in the European Championship final and found her groove for her team, playing a crucial role all campaign long in front of goal and with her work off the ball.

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

She was the WSL's co-leading goalscorer, earning a share of the top scorer award with Khadija Shaw.

Russo netted twelve WSL goals for the club and set up for a further two.

Her name was put forward for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and selected in the PFA and the European season's best XIs.

Her thoughts on personal development over the past year:

"My top performances come when I'm enjoying myself and I'm confident my efforts in practice 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 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 more you do them, the more comfortable you become."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The whole tournament was a complete rollercoaster. There were ups and downs. It tested us mentally. We were physically drained.

"I recall after the last-eight game, a lot of us were extremely sore and injured. It was so intense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. The schedule is relentless.

"In my view the way that we won during the event was just determination and toughness. And we were aware 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 sometimes you have to win a little bit dirty."

Discussing the European final:

"The overriding feeling that stands out from that whole day was just being very composed, like we knew our preparation was complete, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we believed in the game plan and what we wanted to do.

"Obviously playing against a side such as Barça, you've got to be comfortable not having the ball because they're so talented. When they do have the ball, they don't give it away frequently.

"We as athletes in the high press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our job at hand. It was a lot of running 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."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I was fortunate of watching her a few times with my dad. Seeing her for England, too, her talent was remarkable. I wish that she could have played longer and she was active today, 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."

The striker notched 12 goals in twenty-one games in the Women's Super League last season to divide the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the competition but Russo was also a constant threat in the penalty area all season long, attempting more efforts (seventy-three) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than all her peers.

Her capability to contribute to the team outside of her goals distinguishes her.

Fellow player Mariona Caldentey regularly played progressive passes into her, so effective ball retention was essential.

Her skill to retreat into midfield, freeing herself from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements was notable.

If a marker got too close, she used her body well 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 Arsenal striker (fifteen).

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

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, directing it away from opposing players marking closely, before finding nearby team-mates positioned facing towards the goal.

By retaining the ball in difficult scenarios, Russo is regularly able to act as an outlet for her team under pressure.

She can convert tough balls into extended spells of stable possession and such phases in the attacking zone lead to goals, several of these she finishes personally.