Female Soccer Player of the Year Contender Russo

Age: 26 Position: Forward Teams: Arsenal and the English national team

The talented forward made history with Arsenal as they became the pioneering English team to win the prestigious European competition since the Gunners did in 2008, and also helped guide England to the successful retention of their continental crown.

She scored in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and hit top form for her team, making significant contributions all campaign long in front of goal and with her defensive efforts.

Russo was named the FWA's women's footballer of the year for last season.

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

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

She was also nominated for the prestigious individual award 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 having fun and I know 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'm always still learning. Our staff is excellent here at the club. There are top teammates to learn off as well. Then when the important matches come around, the more you do them, the more comfortable you become."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The whole tournament was a complete rollercoaster. It was highs and lows. It tested us mentally. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I recall after the last-eight game, many players were really, really battered and bruised. The pressure was immense. But recovery had to be swift. It moves so fast.

"I think the way that we won throughout that whole tournament was just determination and toughness. And we were aware that we had the squad, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"Facing the top sides in the world, the elite athletes in the world and occasionally you have to grind out results."

On the Champions League final:

"The main emotion that I can remember from that whole day was just being so calm, like we were confident we'd done the work, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we believed in the strategy and what we wanted to do.

"Naturally playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not possessing the ball because their skill is exceptional. When they do have the ball, they don't give it away frequently.

"As players in the high press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our job at hand. It was a lot of running and plenty of defending. But ultimately that led to success. In my opinion you have to be OK winning games like that as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I was fortunate of watching her a couple of occasions with my dad. Watching her internationally, too, her talent was remarkable. I hope that her career lasted more and still be playing now, but she was one of the best ever.

"I think anyone that has played with Kelly would agree and I never got the pleasure of experiencing that. But observing her play was something that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo notched twelve goals in 21 games in the Women's Super League 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 penalty area all season long, attempting more efforts (seventy-three) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than all her peers.

Her capability to contribute to the team beyond scoring sets her apart.

Team-mate Mariona Caldentey often delivered forward balls into Russo, so effective ball retention was necessary.

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

If a defender got too close, she used her physicality to win free-kicks, assisting the side gain settled possession in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League the prior year, nobody was fouled more than the forward (15).

When the ball does stick, her control are highly effective. Her regular awareness of her environment means she stays conscious of where rivals are.

She uses few contacts on the ball, moving it clear from opposing players marking closely, before finding close colleagues oriented forward.

By keeping possession in tough situations, Russo is often capable to act as an release option for her side in trouble.

She is able turn difficult passes into long periods of controlled play and such phases in the attacking zone result in scores, several of these she finishes personally.