Women's Footballer of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

Years Old: 26 Position: Striker Teams: The Gunners 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 prestigious European competition since the Gunners did in the 2000s, and also played a key role in leading England to the successful retention of their European Championship crown.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 final and found her groove for her club, playing a crucial role throughout the season as an attacker and with her work off the ball.

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

Russo finished as the WSL's co-leading goalscorer, sharing the Golden Boot with Khadija Shaw.

She scored 12 league goals for the club and provided assists for a couple more.

She was also nominated for the prestigious individual award 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 I'm getting my work done, so those are aspects that are within my power.

"There's so many different aspects to a number nine position, it's so detailed and there are tiny differences. I continue to develop. We have great coaches here at the club. 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. There were ups and downs. It was emotionally really hard. We were physically drained.

"I remember after the last-eight game, a lot of us were really, really battered and bruised. The pressure was immense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. It moves so fast.

"I think the way that we won throughout that whole tournament was just grit and resilience. And we were aware that we had the team, 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 grind out results."

Discussing the European final:

"The main emotion 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 the ability, and we knew that we believed in the game plan and what we wanted to do.

"Naturally playing against a team like Barcelona, you must accept not possessing the ball because they're so talented. When they do have the ball, they don't give it away that often.

"As players in the high press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our job at hand. It was a lot of running and a lot of defensive work. But in the end that led to success. I think that you have to be OK securing victories in that manner as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I was fortunate of watching her a few times with my dad. Watching her internationally, too, she was just incredible. I wish that her career lasted more 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 experiencing that. But observing her play was something that I always used to love."

Alessia Russo notched twelve 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 league but Russo was also a constant threat in the penalty area throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (seventy-three) and having a higher expected goals tally (nine point seven) than all her peers.

Russo's ability to aid the side beyond scoring sets her apart.

Fellow player Mariona Caldentey regularly played forward balls 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 in tight, Russo used her physicality to draw fouls, assisting the side gain settled possession in the enemy territory. In the European tournament last season, no player was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (15).

When the play settles, Russo's touches are highly effective. Her frequent scanning of her environment means she remains aware of where opponents are.

She uses few contacts on the ball, moving it clear from defenders applying player-to-player pressure, before locating nearby team-mates positioned facing towards the goal.

By retaining the ball in tough situations, she is often capable to act as an outlet for her team under pressure.

She is able convert tough balls into long periods of controlled play and such phases in the opponent's final third result in scores, several of these she finishes personally.