Female Footballer of the Year Candidate Russo

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

The talented forward made history with her club as they became the pioneering British team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in 2008, and also helped guide England to the defence of their continental crown.

She scored in the European Championship showpiece match and found her groove for her team, making significant contributions all campaign long as an attacker and with her work off the ball.

Russo was honored as the Football Writers' Association's women's footballer of the year for the previous campaign.

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

She scored 12 league goals for Arsenal and provided assists for a couple more.

Her name was put forward for the prestigious individual award and selected in the Professional Footballers' Association and the Uefa Champions League season's best XIs.

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

"My top performances come when I'm having fun and I'm confident I'm training hard and completing my tasks, so that's something that I can always control.

"There's so many different aspects to a number nine position, it's so detailed and there are tiny differences. I'm always still learning. Our staff is excellent here at Arsenal. I have great players to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the big games come around, the greater your experience, the more you get used to them."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The whole tournament was a complete rollercoaster. 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 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 throughout that whole tournament was just determination and toughness. And I think that we knew that we had the squad, we knew that we had what it takes.

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

Discussing the European final:

"The main emotion that I can remember from that entire occasion was just being so calm, like we were confident our preparation was complete, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we believed in the strategy and what we aimed to achieve.

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

"As players in the high press and defensively, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. It was a lot of running and a lot of defensive work. But in the end that led to success. In my opinion you have to be OK securing victories in that manner as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I got the pleasure of seeing her play a couple of occasions with my dad. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. I wish that she could have played longer and still be playing now, but she was one of the best ever.

"I believe those who teamed up with her 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 21 games in the Women's Super League the previous campaign to divide the Golden Boot.

She was not just one of the deadliest players in the league but she was also a constant threat in the penalty area throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (73) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than all her peers.

Her capability to contribute to the team outside of her goals distinguishes her.

Team-mate Mariona Caldentey regularly played progressive passes into Russo, so strong hold-up play was necessary.

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

If a marker got too close, Russo used her body well to win free-kicks, helping her team gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the European tournament last season, no player was fouled more than the forward (15).

When the play settles, Russo's touches are extremely efficient. Her regular awareness of her surroundings means she remains aware of where rivals are.

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from defenders marking closely, before finding close colleagues oriented forward.

By keeping possession in difficult scenarios, Russo is regularly able to act as an release option for her side in trouble.

She is able convert tough balls into extended spells of controlled play and such phases in the opponent's final third result in scores, several of these she finishes personally.