Women's Footballer of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

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

Alessia Russo created a legacy with her club as they became the first English team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in the 2000s, and also helped guide England to the successful retention of their European Championship crown.

Russo found the net in the European Championship final and hit top form for her team, playing a crucial role throughout the season as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

The forward was honored as the FWA's top female player for the previous campaign.

She was the WSL's co-leading goalscorer, sharing the top scorer award with her rival striker.

Russo netted twelve WSL goals for Arsenal and set up for a couple more.

She was also nominated for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and named in the Professional Footballers' Association and the Uefa Champions League teams of the year.

Her thoughts on personal development over the previous season:

"My top performances come when I'm enjoying myself and I know my efforts in practice and completing my tasks, so that's something that I can always control.

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, it requires precision and there are so many fine margins. I'm always still learning. We have great coaches here at Arsenal. There are top teammates to learn off as well. Then when the important matches come around, the more you do them, the more comfortable you become."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The whole tournament was a total emotional ride. It was highs and lows. It tested us mentally. We were physically drained.

"I remember after the last-eight game, many players were extremely sore and injured. The pressure was immense. 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 I think that we knew that we had the squad, we knew that we had what it takes.

"You're playing against the top sides in the world, the best players 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 so calm, 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.

"Naturally playing against a team like Barcelona, you've got to be comfortable not having the ball because they're so talented. When in possession, they don't give it away frequently.

"We as athletes in the 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 watching her a few times with my dad. Watching her internationally, too, she was just incredible. I hope that she could have played longer and still be playing now, but she ranks among the greats.

"I think those who teamed up with her would agree and I didn't have the chance of doing that. But watching her was something that I always used to love."

The striker notched twelve goals in twenty-one games in the WSL the previous campaign to share 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 all season long, taking more shots (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than all her peers.

Russo's ability to contribute to the team outside of her goals distinguishes her.

Fellow player Mariona Caldentey often delivered progressive passes into her, so strong hold-up play was necessary.

Russo's ability to retreat into midfield, freeing herself from her opposing defender through quick, incisive runs was notable.

If a marker got too close, she used her body well to draw fouls, helping her team gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the European tournament the prior year, nobody was drawn more fouls than the Arsenal striker (fifteen).

When the play settles, her control are extremely efficient. Her frequent scanning of her surroundings means she stays conscious of where rivals are.

Russo takes few contacts on the ball, moving it clear from opposing players applying player-to-player pressure, before finding nearby team-mates positioned facing towards the goal.

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

She is able turn difficult passes into extended spells of stable possession and such phases in the attacking zone lead to goals, several of these she finishes personally.