Women's Footballer of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

Years Old: 26 Position: Striker Teams: The Gunners and the English national team

Alessia Russo made history with her club as they became the first British team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the North London side did in the 2000s, and also played a key role in leading England to the defence of their continental title.

Russo found the net in the European Championship final and found her groove for her club, making significant contributions throughout the season in front of goal and with her work off the ball.

The forward was honored as the Football Writers' Association's women's footballer of the year for last season.

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

She scored twelve WSL 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 Uefa Champions League teams of the year.

Russo on how she feels she has improved over the previous season:

"I play my best football when I'm having fun and I'm confident my efforts in practice and completing my tasks, so that's something that are within my power.

"There's so many different aspects to a number nine position, it requires precision and there are so many fine margins. I continue to develop. Our staff is excellent here at the club. There are top teammates to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the important matches come around, the greater your experience, the more comfortable you become."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The whole tournament was a complete rollercoaster. There were ups and downs. It tested us mentally. We were physically drained.

"I remember after the last-eight game, many players were really, really battered and bruised. It was so intense. But recovery had to be swift. 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.

"You're playing against the top sides in the world, the best players in the world and sometimes you have to win a little bit dirty."

On the Champions League final:

"The overriding feeling that I can remember from that entire occasion was just being very composed, like we knew we'd done the work, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we believed in the game plan and what we aimed to achieve.

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

"As players in the high press and defensively, we were really focused on our assigned tasks. It was a lot of running and plenty of defending. But ultimately that led to success. I think that you have to be content winning games like that as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I was fortunate of seeing her play a couple of occasions with my dad. Seeing her for England, too, her talent was remarkable. I wish that she could have played longer and she was active today, but she ranks among the greats.

"I think anyone that has played with Kelly would agree and I didn't have the chance of doing that. But watching her was something that I greatly admired."

The striker notched twelve goals in twenty-one games in the WSL the previous campaign to share the Golden Boot.

She was not just one of the deadliest players in the competition but she was also a persistent danger in the penalty area all season long, attempting more efforts (seventy-three) and having a higher expected goals tally (nine point seven) than all her peers.

Russo's ability to contribute to the team beyond scoring distinguishes her.

Fellow player a teammate regularly played forward balls into her, so effective ball retention was necessary.

Russo's ability to drop deep, freeing herself from her opposing defender through quick, incisive runs was notable.

If a marker got in tight, she used her body well to win free-kicks, helping her team secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the European tournament last season, no player was drawn more fouls than the Arsenal striker (fifteen).

When the play settles, Russo's touches are extremely efficient. Her regular awareness of her surroundings means she remains aware of where opponents are.

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

By keeping possession in tough situations, she is often capable to act as an outlet for her side in trouble.

She can convert tough balls into long periods of controlled play and these possessions in the opponent's final third lead to goals, many of which she ends up scoring herself.