Female Soccer Player of the Year Contender Russo

Years Old: 26 Position: Forward Clubs: The Gunners and the English national team

The talented forward made history with her club as they became the first British team to win the prestigious European competition since the Gunners did in 2008, and also played a key role in leading the Lionesses to the defence of their European Championship crown.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and hit top form for her team, making significant contributions throughout the season as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

The forward was named the Football Writers' Association's top female player for last season.

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

Russo netted 12 league goals for Arsenal and provided assists for a further two.

Her name was put forward for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and selected in the PFA and the Uefa Champions League teams of the year.

Russo on how she feels she has improved over the past year:

"My top performances come when I'm enjoying myself and I'm confident my efforts in practice and I'm getting my work done, 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. I have great players to learn off as well. Then when the important matches come around, the greater your experience, the more you get used to them."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The whole tournament was a total emotional ride. It was highs and lows. It tested us mentally. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I remember after the last-eight game, many players were extremely sore and injured. It was so intense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. 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 the necessary qualities.

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

Discussing the European final:

"The main emotion that stands out from that whole day 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 wanted to do.

"Naturally playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not having the ball because they're so talented. When in possession, they don't give it away frequently.

"We as athletes in the 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 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 father. Watching her internationally, too, she was just incredible. I wish that she could have played longer and still be playing now, but she ranks among the greats.

"I think those who teamed up with her 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 scored 12 goals in 21 games in the WSL the previous campaign to share the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the most clinical players in the competition but Russo was also a persistent danger in the box throughout the campaign, taking more shots (seventy-three) and recording a superior xG (nine point seven) than any other player.

Russo's ability to aid the side outside of her goals sets her apart.

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

Russo's ability to drop deep, freeing herself from her nearby marker through sharp, darting movements was notable.

If a defender got in tight, Russo used her physicality to draw fouls, helping her team gain settled possession in the enemy territory. In the European tournament the prior year, no player was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (fifteen).

When the play settles, Russo's touches are extremely efficient. Her regular awareness of her environment means she stays conscious of where rivals are.

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from opposing players applying player-to-player pressure, before locating nearby team-mates oriented forward.

By retaining the ball in difficult scenarios, Russo is regularly able to act as an outlet for her team under pressure.

She can turn difficult passes into extended spells of stable possession and such phases in the opponent's final third lead to goals, many of which she ends up scoring herself.