Women's Footballer of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

Age: 26 Position: Striker Clubs: Arsenal and England

The talented forward created a legacy with her club as they became the first British team to win the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in 2008, and also helped guide England to the defence of their European Championship crown.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and found her groove for her team, playing a crucial role throughout the season as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

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

She was the Women's Super League's co-leading goalscorer, earning a share of the top scorer award with her rival striker.

Russo netted 12 league goals for Arsenal and set up for a couple more.

She was also nominated for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and named in the Professional Footballers' Association and the European 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 I'm training hard and completing my tasks, 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. I have great players to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the big games come around, the greater your experience, the more comfortable you become."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The entire competition was a total emotional ride. It was highs and lows. It tested us mentally. We were physically drained.

"I remember after the last-eight game, a lot of us were extremely sore and injured. The pressure was immense. But recovery had to be swift. It moves so fast.

"I think the way that we won during the event was just grit and resilience. And I think that we knew that we had the team, we knew that we had what it takes.

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

Discussing the European final:

"The overriding feeling that stands out from that entire occasion was just being so calm, like we were confident our preparation was complete, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we believed in the game plan and what we wanted to do.

"Obviously playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not having the ball because they're so talented. 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 assigned tasks. There was extensive movement and plenty of defending. But ultimately that led to success. I think that you have to be OK securing victories in that manner as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I got the pleasure of watching her a few times with my dad. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. I wish that she could have played longer and still be playing now, but she was one of the best ever.

"I think anyone that has played with Kelly would say the same thing and I didn't have the chance of experiencing that. But observing her play was something that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo notched twelve goals in twenty-one games in the WSL the previous campaign to divide the Golden Boot.

Not only was she one of the most clinical players in the league but Russo was also a persistent danger in the box all season long, attempting more efforts (73) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than any other player.

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

Fellow player a teammate often delivered forward balls into her, so strong hold-up play was essential.

Russo's ability to drop deep, freeing herself from her nearby marker through quick, incisive runs stood out.

If a marker got too close, she used her body well to win free-kicks, assisting the side secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the European tournament last season, no player was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (fifteen).

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

She uses minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from defenders marking closely, before finding close colleagues oriented forward.

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

She can turn difficult passes into long periods of controlled play and such phases in the attacking zone result in scores, several of these she ends up scoring herself.