Female Footballer of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

Years Old: 26 Position: Striker Clubs: Arsenal and England

Alessia Russo created a legacy with her club as they emerged as the first British team to win the prestigious European competition since the Gunners did in 2008, and also helped guide the Lionesses to the successful retention of their continental title.

She scored in the Euro 2025 final and found her groove for her team, playing a crucial role all campaign long as an attacker and with her work off the ball.

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

Russo finished as the WSL's co-leading goalscorer, earning a share of the top scorer award with her rival striker.

Russo netted 12 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 PFA and the European season's best XIs.

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

"My top performances come when I'm enjoying myself and I'm confident I'm training hard and completing my tasks, so those are aspects that are within my power.

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, it's so detailed 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 gain knowledge from as well. Then when the big games arrive, the more you do them, the more you get used to them."

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 recall after the last-eight game, many players were really, really battered and bruised. The pressure was immense. 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 top sides in the world, the best players in the world and occasionally you have to grind out results."

On the Champions League final:

"The main emotion that stands out from that entire occasion 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 don't give it away that often.

"We as athletes in the high press and out of possession, we were really focused on our assigned tasks. It was a lot of running and plenty of defending. But in the end that's what got the job done. I think that you have to be content winning games like that as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I got the pleasure of watching her a few times with my father. Seeing her for England, 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 doing that. But observing her play was something that I always used to love."

The striker scored 12 goals in twenty-one games in the Women's Super League last season to share the scoring award.

She was not just one of the most clinical players in the competition but she was also a constant threat in the box all season long, attempting more efforts (73) and recording a superior xG (nine point seven) than all her peers.

Russo's ability to aid the side beyond scoring sets her apart.

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

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

If a defender got too close, Russo used her physicality to win free-kicks, helping her team gain settled possession 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, Russo's touches are extremely efficient. Her frequent scanning of her surroundings means she stays conscious of where opponents are.

She uses minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from defenders applying player-to-player pressure, before locating nearby team-mates oriented forward.

By retaining the ball in tough situations, she is regularly able 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 result in scores, several of these she ends up scoring herself.