Women's Footballer of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

Age: 26 Playing Role: Striker Clubs: The Gunners and the English national team

Alessia Russo created a legacy with Arsenal as they became the pioneering British team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the Gunners did in 2008, and also played a key role in leading the Lionesses to the successful retention of their European Championship crown.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 final and found her groove for her club, making significant contributions all campaign long in front of goal and with her work off the ball.

The forward was named the FWA's top female player for the previous campaign.

Russo finished as the WSL's co-leading goalscorer, sharing the top scorer award with Khadija Shaw.

Russo netted twelve WSL goals for Arsenal and provided assists for a couple more.

Her name was put forward for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and named in the PFA and the European teams of the year.

Her thoughts on personal development over the past year:

"I play my best football when I'm enjoying myself and I know 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 requires precision and there are tiny differences. I'm always still learning. Our staff is excellent here at the club. I have great players 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 whole tournament was a complete rollercoaster. It was highs and lows. It tested us mentally. We were physically drained.

"I recall 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. The schedule is relentless.

"In my view the way that we won throughout that whole tournament 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 best teams in the world, the elite athletes in the world and occasionally you have to win a little bit dirty."

On the Champions League final:

"The main emotion that I can remember from that whole day was just being very composed, like we knew we'd done the work, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we trusted the strategy and what we wanted to do.

"Obviously playing against a team like Barcelona, you've got to be comfortable not possessing the ball because their skill is exceptional. When they do have the ball, they retain it that often.

"As players in the high press and defensively, we were really focused on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement and plenty of defending. 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 seeing her play a few times with my dad. Watching her internationally, too, her talent was remarkable. I wish that her career lasted more and she was active today, but she ranks among the greats.

"I think those who teamed up with her would say the same thing and I never got the pleasure of doing that. But observing her play was someone that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo notched 12 goals in twenty-one games in the WSL last season to divide the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the league but Russo was also a constant threat in the box throughout the campaign, taking more shots (seventy-three) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than all her peers.

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

Fellow player a teammate regularly played forward balls into Russo, so strong hold-up play was essential.

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

If a defender got too close, she used her physicality to draw fouls, assisting the side gain settled possession in the enemy territory. In the European tournament last season, nobody was drawn more fouls than the Arsenal striker (15).

When the ball does stick, her control are highly effective. Her frequent scanning of her surroundings means she remains aware of where rivals are.

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

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

She is able turn difficult passes into extended spells of controlled play and these possessions in the opponent's final third result in scores, several of these she finishes personally.