Female Footballer of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

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

Alessia Russo made history with her club as they became the pioneering English team to win the prestigious European competition since the Gunners did in 2008, and also played a key role in leading England to the successful retention of their European Championship crown.

She scored in the European Championship showpiece match and hit top form for her team, making significant contributions throughout the season in front of goal and with her work off the ball.

The forward was named the FWA's women's footballer of the year for last season.

She was the Women's Super League's joint top scorer, earning a share of the top scorer award with Khadija Shaw.

Russo netted 12 league goals for the club and set up for a further two.

She was also nominated for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and named in the Professional Footballers' Association and the Uefa Champions League season's best XIs.

Russo on how she feels she has improved over the previous season:

"I play my best football when I'm having fun and I know I'm training hard and I'm getting my work done, so that's something that I can always control.

"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. We have great coaches here at Arsenal. There are top teammates to learn off as well. Then when the big games arrive, the more you do them, the more you get used to them."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The whole tournament was a complete rollercoaster. It was highs and lows. It tested us mentally. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I remember after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, many players were really, really battered and bruised. It was so intense. But recovery had to be swift. It moves so fast.

"In my view 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 the necessary qualities.

"You're playing against the best teams in the world, the best players in the world and sometimes you have to grind out results."

On the Champions League final:

"The overriding feeling 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 what it takes, and we knew that we trusted the strategy and what we aimed to achieve.

"Naturally playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not having the ball because their skill is exceptional. When they do have the ball, they retain it frequently.

"As players in the high press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement and a lot of defensive work. But in the end that's what got the job done. 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 few times with my dad. Watching her internationally, too, her talent was remarkable. I hope that she could have played longer and still be playing now, but she was one of the best ever.

"I believe anyone that has played with Kelly would agree and I didn't have the chance of experiencing that. But watching her was someone that I always used to love."

The striker notched twelve goals in twenty-one games in the WSL the previous campaign to share the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the most clinical players in the competition but Russo was also a persistent danger in the box throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than any other player.

Russo's ability to aid the side outside of her goals distinguishes her.

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

Russo's ability to drop deep, freeing herself from her nearby marker through sharp, darting movements was notable.

If a marker got in tight, she used her body well to win free-kicks, assisting the side gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the Champions' League last season, no player was drawn more fouls than the forward (fifteen).

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

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from opposing players marking closely, before locating close colleagues oriented forward.

By retaining the ball in tough situations, she is regularly able to act as an release option for her side in trouble.

She can convert tough balls into extended spells of controlled play and these possessions in the opponent's final third result in scores, several of these she finishes personally.