Female Soccer Player of the Year Contender Russo

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

The talented forward created a legacy with Arsenal as they emerged as the pioneering British team to win the Women's Champions League 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 European Championship final and found her groove for her team, making significant contributions all campaign long in front of goal and with her work off the ball.

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

Russo finished as the Women's Super League's joint top scorer, earning a share of the Golden Boot with Khadija Shaw.

Russo netted 12 WSL goals for the club and set up 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 past year:

"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.

"There's so many different aspects to a striker's role, it requires precision and there are so many fine margins. I'm always still learning. We have great coaches 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 comfortable you become."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

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

"I remember after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, a lot of us were extremely sore and injured. The pressure was immense. But recovery had to be swift. It moves so fast.

"I think the way that we won during the event was just determination and toughness. And we were aware that we had the squad, we knew that we had what it takes.

"You're playing against the top sides in the world, the elite athletes in the world and sometimes you have to grind out results."

On the Champions League final:

"The overriding feeling that I can remember from that whole day was just being very composed, like we knew our preparation was complete, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we trusted the strategy and what we aimed to achieve.

"Naturally playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not having the ball because they're so talented. When in possession, they retain it that often.

"As players in the press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. It was a lot of running and a lot of defensive work. But ultimately that's what got the job done. 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 watching her a few times with my dad. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. I hope that her career lasted more 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 doing that. But observing her play was someone that I always used to love."

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

Not only was she one of the most clinical players in the league but Russo was also a persistent danger in the box all season long, taking more shots (73) and recording a superior xG (nine point seven) than all her peers.

Her capability to aid the side outside of her goals sets her apart.

Fellow player a teammate regularly played progressive passes into Russo, so effective ball retention was necessary.

Russo's ability to retreat into midfield, freeing herself from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements was notable.

If a marker got in tight, she used her body well to draw fouls, helping her team secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the Champions' League the prior year, nobody was drawn more fouls than the Arsenal striker (fifteen).

When the play settles, her control are extremely efficient. Her frequent scanning of her environment means she stays conscious of where rivals are.

Russo takes few contacts on the ball, moving it clear from defenders marking closely, before locating close colleagues positioned facing towards the goal.

By keeping possession in difficult scenarios, she is regularly able to act as an outlet for her side in trouble.

She is able convert tough balls into extended spells of stable possession and such phases in the attacking zone result in scores, many of which she finishes personally.