Women's Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Russo

Age: 26 Playing Role: Forward Teams: Arsenal and the English national team

Alessia Russo created a legacy with her club as they became the pioneering British team to win the prestigious European competition since the Gunners did in the 2000s, and also helped guide the Lionesses to the successful retention of their European Championship title.

She scored in the European Championship showpiece match and hit top form for her club, playing a crucial role throughout the season in front of goal and with her defensive efforts.

Russo was named the FWA's women's footballer of the year for the previous campaign.

She was the Women's Super League's co-leading goalscorer, sharing the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

Russo netted 12 WSL goals for Arsenal and set up for a further two.

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

Her thoughts on personal development over the past year:

"My top performances come 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.

"Numerous elements 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. I have great players to learn off as well. Then when the important matches arrive, the greater your experience, the more you get used to them."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The entire competition was a total emotional ride. There were ups and downs. It was emotionally really hard. It was taxing on our bodies.

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

"I think the way that we won during the event was just determination and toughness. And we were aware that we had the squad, we knew that we had what it takes.

"You're playing against the best teams in the world, the elite athletes in the world and occasionally you have to win a little bit dirty."

Discussing the European final:

"The overriding feeling that stands out from that entire occasion was just being very composed, like we were confident we'd done the work, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we trusted the strategy and what we wanted to do.

"Naturally playing against a side such as Barça, you've got to be comfortable not possessing the ball because their skill is exceptional. When they do have the ball, they retain it that often.

"As players in the press and defensively, we were really focused on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement and plenty of defending. But ultimately that's what got the job done. In my opinion you have to be content winning games like that as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I was fortunate of seeing her play a few times with my father. Watching her internationally, too, her talent was remarkable. I wish 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 say the same thing and I didn't have the chance of experiencing that. But watching her was someone that I always used to love."

Alessia Russo scored 12 goals in 21 games in the WSL last season to divide the Golden Boot.

Not only was she one of the most clinical players in the league but she was also a persistent danger in the box throughout the campaign, taking more shots (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (nine point seven) than all her peers.

Her capability to contribute to the team outside of her goals distinguishes her.

Team-mate Mariona Caldentey regularly played forward balls into her, so strong hold-up play was necessary.

Her skill to drop deep, freeing herself from her nearby marker through quick, incisive runs was notable.

If a defender got too close, Russo used her body well to win free-kicks, assisting the side secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the Champions' League last season, no player was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (15).

When the play settles, her control 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 marking closely, before locating nearby team-mates positioned facing towards the goal.

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

She is able turn difficult passes into extended spells of controlled play and such phases in the opponent's final third result in scores, several of these she finishes personally.