Female Footballer of the Year Contender Russo

Years Old: 26 Position: Forward Teams: The Gunners and England

Alessia Russo created a legacy with Arsenal as they emerged as the first English team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in 2008, and also helped guide England to the defence of their European Championship crown.

Russo found the net in the European Championship final and hit top form for her club, making significant contributions all campaign long as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

Russo was honored as the FWA's top female player for last season.

She was the Women's Super League's co-leading goalscorer, earning a share of the Golden Boot with Khadija Shaw.

Russo netted 12 league goals for the club and set up for a couple more.

She was also nominated for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and selected 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 know my efforts in practice and completing my tasks, so those are aspects that I can always control.

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, it's so detailed and there are tiny differences. I continue to develop. We have great coaches here at Arsenal. There are top teammates to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the important matches come around, the greater your experience, the more comfortable you become."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The entire competition was a total emotional ride. There were ups and downs. It tested us mentally. We were physically drained.

"I remember after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, a lot of us were extremely sore and injured. It was so intense. But recovery had to be swift. It moves so fast.

"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 the necessary qualities.

"You're playing against the top sides in the world, the elite athletes in the world and sometimes you have to win a little bit dirty."

On the Champions League final:

"The main emotion that stands out from that entire occasion was just being so calm, like we knew we'd done the work, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we trusted the strategy and what we wanted to do.

"Obviously playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not having the ball because their skill is exceptional. When in possession, they don't give it away that often.

"We as athletes in the high press and defensively, we were really focused on our assigned tasks. It was a lot of running and a lot of defensive work. But ultimately that's what got the job done. In my opinion you have to be OK winning games like that as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I got the pleasure of watching her a few times with my dad. Watching her internationally, too, she was just incredible. I hope that her career lasted more and she was active today, but she ranks among the greats.

"I think those who teamed up with her would say the same thing and I never got the pleasure of experiencing that. But observing her play was someone that I always used to love."

Alessia Russo notched 12 goals in twenty-one games in the Women's Super League the previous campaign to share the Golden Boot.

She was not just one of the deadliest players in the league but she was also a constant threat in the penalty area all season long, attempting more efforts (73) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than any other player.

Her capability to aid the side beyond scoring distinguishes her.

Fellow player a teammate regularly played progressive passes into her, so effective ball retention was necessary.

Russo's ability to drop deep, creating space from her opposing defender through quick, incisive runs was notable.

If a defender got in tight, Russo used her physicality to draw fouls, assisting the side secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the Champions' League last season, nobody was drawn more fouls than the forward (15).

When the play settles, her control are extremely efficient. Her regular awareness of her environment means she remains aware of where rivals are.

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from defenders marking closely, before locating nearby team-mates oriented forward.

By retaining the ball in tough situations, Russo is often capable to act as an release option for her side in trouble.

She is able convert tough balls into extended spells of stable possession and such phases in the attacking zone result in scores, many of which she finishes personally.