Women's Footballer of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

Years Old: 26 Position: Striker Clubs: Arsenal and England

The talented forward created a legacy with her club as they became the pioneering British team to win the prestigious European competition since the Gunners did in the 2000s, and also helped guide England to the defence of their European Championship crown.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 final and hit top form for her team, playing a crucial role throughout the season as an attacker and with her work off the ball.

The forward was named the FWA's women's footballer of the year for the previous campaign.

She was the WSL's joint top scorer, earning a share of the top scorer award with Khadija Shaw.

She scored twelve WSL goals for the club and provided assists for a couple more.

She was also nominated for the prestigious individual award and named in the PFA and the European teams of the year.

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

"I play my best football when I'm enjoying myself and I'm confident 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's so detailed and there are so many fine margins. I'm always still learning. We have great coaches here at Arsenal. There are top teammates to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the big games come around, the more you do them, the more comfortable you become."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

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

"I remember after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, a lot of us were really, really battered and bruised. It was so intense. But recovery had to be swift. It moves so fast.

"In my view the way that we won during the event was just grit and resilience. And we were aware that we had the team, we knew that we had what it takes.

"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 overriding feeling that stands out from that entire occasion was just being so calm, like we knew our preparation was complete, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we trusted the game plan and what we aimed to achieve.

"Naturally playing against a team like Barcelona, you must accept not possessing the ball because their skill is exceptional. When in possession, they don't give it away that often.

"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 in the end that led to success. I think that you have to be content securing victories in that manner as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I got the pleasure of seeing her play a couple of occasions with my dad. Watching her internationally, 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 never got the pleasure of experiencing that. But watching her was something that I always used to love."

Alessia Russo notched 12 goals in twenty-one games in the WSL the previous campaign to divide the Golden Boot.

She was not just one of the most clinical players in the competition but she was also a constant threat in the penalty area throughout the campaign, taking more shots (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (nine point seven) than all her peers.

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

Team-mate a teammate often delivered progressive passes into her, so strong hold-up play was essential.

Russo's ability to drop deep, creating space from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements was notable.

If a defender got too close, Russo used her body well to draw fouls, assisting the side gain settled possession in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League the prior year, nobody was fouled more than the forward (fifteen).

When the ball does stick, her control are extremely efficient. Her regular awareness of her surroundings means she stays conscious of where rivals are.

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from opposing players marking closely, before finding nearby team-mates oriented forward.

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

She is able turn difficult passes into long periods of controlled play and such phases in the attacking zone lead to goals, many of which she ends up scoring herself.