Women's Footballer of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

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

Alessia Russo made history with Arsenal as they became the first English team to win the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in 2008, and also helped guide England to the successful retention of their European Championship title.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and hit top form for her team, making significant contributions throughout the season as an attacker and with her work off the ball.

The forward 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 twelve league goals for the club and set up for a couple more.

Her name was put forward for the prestigious individual award and selected in the Professional Footballers' Association and the Uefa Champions League season's best XIs.

Her thoughts on personal development over the past year:

"My top performances come when I'm having fun and I'm confident I'm training hard and I'm getting my work done, so that's something that are within my power.

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, it's so detailed and there are so many fine margins. I'm always still learning. Our staff is excellent here at the club. There are top teammates to learn off as well. Then when the big games 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 recall 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 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 what it takes.

"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."

Discussing the European final:

"The overriding feeling that I can remember from that whole day was just being so calm, like we were confident our preparation was complete, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we trusted the strategy and what we wanted to do.

"Obviously playing against a team like Barcelona, you've got to be comfortable not possessing the ball because their skill is exceptional. When they do have the ball, they don't give it away that often.

"We as athletes 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. In my opinion you have to be OK winning games like that as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I was fortunate of seeing her play a couple of occasions with my father. Watching her internationally, too, she was just incredible. I hope that her career lasted more and still be playing now, but she ranks among the greats.

"I believe anyone that has played with Kelly would say the same thing and I didn't have the chance of doing that. But watching her was someone that I greatly admired."

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

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

Russo's ability to contribute to the team outside of her goals distinguishes her.

Team-mate Mariona Caldentey often delivered progressive passes into Russo, so effective ball retention was essential.

Her skill to drop deep, creating space from her opposing defender through quick, incisive runs was notable.

If a marker got too close, Russo used her physicality to draw fouls, helping her team gain settled possession in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League the prior year, nobody was drawn more fouls than the Arsenal striker (15).

When the ball does stick, Russo's touches are highly effective. Her frequent scanning of her surroundings means she stays conscious of where opponents are.

She uses few contacts on the ball, directing it away from opposing players applying player-to-player pressure, before locating close colleagues oriented forward.

By keeping possession in tough situations, Russo is regularly able to act as an outlet for her team under pressure.

She is able turn difficult passes into long periods of controlled play and such phases in the opponent's final third lead to goals, several of these she finishes personally.