Women's Footballer of the Year Contender Russo

Age: 26 Position: Forward Teams: The Gunners and England

The talented forward created a legacy with her club as they became the first British team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in 2008, and also helped guide England to the successful retention 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 honored as the FWA's women's footballer of the year for the previous campaign.

Russo finished as the WSL's joint top scorer, earning a share of the top scorer award with Khadija Shaw.

Russo netted twelve WSL goals for Arsenal 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 European season's best XIs.

Her thoughts on personal development over the previous season:

"I play my best football when I'm enjoying myself and I'm confident I'm training hard and I'm getting my work done, so those are aspects that are within my power.

"There's so many different aspects to a striker's role, it's so detailed and there are tiny differences. I'm always still learning. Our staff is excellent here at the club. There are top teammates to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the big games come around, 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 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 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 determination and toughness. And we were aware that we had the team, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"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 I can remember from that whole day was just being very composed, like we were confident our preparation was complete, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we trusted the strategy and what we wanted to do.

"Naturally playing against a team like Barcelona, you must accept not having the ball because their skill is exceptional. When in possession, they don't give it away frequently.

"We as athletes in the press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our job at hand. There was extensive movement and plenty of defending. But in the end that led to success. I think that you have to be content winning games like that as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I got the pleasure of seeing her play a couple of occasions with my dad. 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 think anyone that has played with Kelly would say the same thing and I never got the pleasure of doing that. But observing her play was someone that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo notched twelve goals in 21 games in the Women's Super League last season to divide the Golden Boot.

She was not just one of the most clinical players in the league but she was also a persistent danger in the penalty area throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (73) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than all her peers.

Her capability to aid the side outside of her goals distinguishes her.

Team-mate a teammate regularly played forward balls into her, so effective ball retention was essential.

Her skill to drop deep, creating space from her nearby marker through sharp, darting movements was notable.

If a marker got in tight, she used her body well to draw fouls, helping her team secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the Champions' League last season, no player was fouled more than the forward (fifteen).

When the ball does stick, Russo's touches are highly effective. Her frequent scanning of her environment means she remains aware of where rivals are.

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, directing it away from defenders applying player-to-player pressure, 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 release option for her team under pressure.

She is able convert tough balls into extended spells of controlled play and these possessions in the attacking zone result in scores, many of which she finishes personally.