Women's Footballer of the Year Candidate Russo

Years Old: 26 Playing Role: Striker Clubs: Arsenal and England

Alessia Russo made history with her club as they emerged as the pioneering British team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in the 2000s, and also helped guide the Lionesses to the defence of their European Championship crown.

Russo found the net in the European Championship showpiece match and hit top form for her club, playing a crucial role throughout the season as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

The forward was named 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, sharing the top scorer award with Khadija Shaw.

She scored twelve 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 Professional Footballers' Association 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 I'm getting my work done, so those are aspects that I can always control.

"There's so many different aspects to a number nine position, it requires precision and there are tiny differences. 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 big games come around, the more you do them, the more you get used to them."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The whole tournament was a complete rollercoaster. There were ups and downs. It tested us mentally. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I recall after the last-eight game, a lot of us were really, really battered and bruised. It was so intense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. It moves so fast.

"I think the way that we won throughout that whole tournament was just grit and resilience. And we were aware that we had the team, we knew that we had what it takes.

"Facing the best teams in the world, the best players in the world and sometimes you have to grind out results."

On the Champions League final:

"The main emotion 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 what it takes, 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 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 highly concentrated on our job at hand. It was a lot of running and a lot of defensive work. But in the end that's what got the job done. In my opinion you have to be content securing victories in that manner as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I was fortunate of seeing her play a few times with my dad. Watching her internationally, too, her talent was remarkable. I hope 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 never got the pleasure of experiencing that. But watching her was someone that I greatly admired."

The striker notched twelve goals in twenty-one games in the WSL last season 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 all season long, taking more shots (73) and recording a superior xG (nine point seven) than any other player.

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

Fellow player a teammate often delivered progressive passes into Russo, so strong hold-up play was necessary.

Her skill to drop deep, creating space from her opposing defender through quick, incisive runs stood out.

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, no player was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (fifteen).

When the play settles, her control are extremely efficient. Her regular awareness of her surroundings means she stays conscious of where opponents are.

She uses few contacts on the ball, moving it clear from opposing players applying player-to-player pressure, before finding nearby team-mates positioned facing towards the goal.

By retaining the ball in tough situations, Russo is often capable to act as an outlet for her side in trouble.

She can turn difficult passes into extended spells of controlled play and such phases in the attacking zone lead to goals, many of which she finishes personally.