Female Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Russo

Years Old: 26 Playing Role: Forward Teams: The Gunners and the English national team

Alessia Russo created a legacy with her club as they became the pioneering British team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in the 2000s, and also played a key role in leading the Lionesses to the successful retention of their continental title.

She scored in the Euro 2025 final and hit top form for her team, making significant contributions throughout the season in front of goal and with her work off the ball.

Russo was honored as the FWA's top female player for last season.

She was the Women's Super League's co-leading goalscorer, earning a share of the top scorer award with Khadija Shaw.

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

Her name was put forward for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and selected in the Professional Footballers' Association 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 having fun and I know my efforts in practice and I'm getting my work done, so those are aspects that are within my power.

"Numerous elements 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 important matches arrive, the greater your experience, the more you get used to them."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The entire competition was a complete rollercoaster. It was highs and lows. It was emotionally really hard. We were physically drained.

"I recall after the last-eight game, a lot of us 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 the necessary qualities.

"Facing the top sides in the world, the best players in the world and occasionally you have to grind out results."

Discussing the European final:

"The overriding feeling 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 the ability, and we knew that we trusted the strategy and what we aimed to achieve.

"Naturally playing against a team like Barcelona, you must accept not possessing the ball because their skill is exceptional. When they do have the ball, they don't give it away frequently.

"As players in the press and out of possession, we were really focused on our job at hand. There was extensive movement and plenty of defending. But in the end that led to success. 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 couple of occasions with my dad. Seeing her for England, too, her talent was remarkable. I wish that she could have played longer and still be playing now, but she ranks among the greats.

"I think those who teamed up with her would agree and I didn't have the chance of experiencing that. But watching her was someone that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo notched 12 goals in twenty-one games in the WSL the previous campaign to share the scoring award.

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

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

Fellow player Mariona Caldentey often delivered forward balls into her, so strong hold-up play was essential.

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

If a defender got in tight, Russo used her body well to draw fouls, assisting the side gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the European tournament last season, nobody was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (15).

When the ball does stick, Russo's touches are highly effective. Her frequent scanning of her surroundings means she remains aware of where opponents are.

She uses minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from defenders marking closely, before locating nearby team-mates positioned facing towards the goal.

By retaining the ball in difficult scenarios, she is regularly able to act as an outlet for her side in trouble.

She can convert tough balls into extended spells of controlled play and these possessions in the opponent's final third result in scores, many of which she ends up scoring herself.