Women's Footballer of the Year Contender Russo

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

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

She scored in the European Championship final and found her groove for her team, playing a crucial role throughout the season in front of goal and with her work off the ball.

The forward was named the FWA's top female player for last season.

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

Russo netted twelve league goals for Arsenal and set up for a further two.

Her name was put forward for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and selected in the PFA and the European 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 know 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 tiny differences. I continue to develop. 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."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The entire competition was a total emotional ride. There were ups and downs. It was emotionally really hard. We were physically drained.

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

"In my view 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 main emotion that stands out from that whole day was just being very composed, like we were confident our preparation was complete, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we believed in the strategy and what we wanted to do.

"Obviously playing against a team like Barcelona, you've got to be comfortable not having the ball because they're so talented. When they do have the ball, they retain it that often.

"As players in the press and defensively, we were really focused on our assigned tasks. It was a lot of running and plenty of defending. But ultimately that led to success. I think that you have to be content winning games like that as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I was fortunate of watching her a few times with my dad. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. I hope that she could have played longer and still be playing now, but she was one of the best ever.

"I believe 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 greatly admired."

Alessia Russo notched twelve goals in 21 games in the WSL the previous campaign to share the Golden Boot.

She was not just one of the most clinical players in the competition but she was also a persistent danger in the penalty area throughout the campaign, taking more shots (seventy-three) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than all her peers.

Her capability to contribute to the team beyond scoring distinguishes her.

Team-mate a teammate often delivered forward balls into her, so strong hold-up play was essential.

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

If a defender got too close, she used her body well to win free-kicks, assisting the side secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the Champions' League the prior year, nobody was drawn more fouls than the forward (15).

When the ball does stick, Russo's touches are extremely efficient. Her frequent scanning of her surroundings means she stays conscious of where rivals are.

Russo takes few contacts on the ball, directing it away from defenders applying player-to-player pressure, before finding close colleagues positioned facing towards the goal.

By retaining the ball in difficult scenarios, she is often capable to act as an release option for her team under pressure.

She is able turn difficult passes into long periods of controlled play and these possessions in the opponent's final third result in scores, many of which she finishes personally.