Female Footballer of the Year Candidate Russo

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

Alessia Russo created a legacy with Arsenal as they emerged as the pioneering British 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 Euro 2025 showpiece match and hit top form for her club, playing a crucial role all campaign long as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

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

She was the WSL's joint top scorer, earning a share of the top scorer award with her rival striker.

She scored 12 league goals for Arsenal and provided assists for a further two.

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

Her thoughts on personal development 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 that's something that are within my power.

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, it requires precision and there are tiny differences. I'm always still learning. We have great coaches here at the club. I have great players to learn off as well. Then when the big games arrive, the greater your experience, the more comfortable you become."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The entire competition was a total emotional ride. It was highs and lows. It tested us mentally. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I remember after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, a lot of us were really, really battered and bruised. The pressure was immense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. The schedule is relentless.

"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.

"Facing 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 stands out from that entire occasion was just being so calm, like we were confident we'd done the work, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we trusted the game plan and what we wanted to do.

"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 don't give it away frequently.

"We as athletes in the high press and out of possession, we were really focused on our job at hand. There was extensive movement and plenty of defending. But in the end that's what got the job done. In my opinion you have to be OK securing victories in that manner as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I got the pleasure of watching her a couple of occasions with my dad. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. I hope that she could have played longer 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 experiencing that. But watching her was someone that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo scored 12 goals in 21 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 Russo was also a constant threat in the box throughout the campaign, taking more shots (73) and recording a superior xG (nine point seven) than all her peers.

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

Team-mate a teammate often delivered forward balls into Russo, so effective ball retention was essential.

Russo's ability to retreat into midfield, freeing herself from her nearby marker through sharp, darting movements was notable.

If a marker got in tight, she used her physicality to win free-kicks, assisting the side gain settled possession in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League last season, no player was drawn more fouls 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 rivals are.

Russo takes few contacts on the ball, moving it clear from defenders applying player-to-player pressure, before finding close colleagues positioned facing towards the goal.

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

She is able turn difficult passes into long periods of stable possession and such phases in the opponent's final third result in scores, many of which she ends up scoring herself.