Women's Footballer of the Year Candidate Russo

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

The talented forward made history with her club as they emerged as the pioneering British team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the North London side did in 2008, and also helped guide the Lionesses to the defence of their European Championship crown.

She scored in the European Championship showpiece match and found her groove for her club, playing a crucial role all campaign long as an attacker and with her work off the ball.

The forward was named the Football Writers' Association's top female player for last season.

Russo finished as the WSL's co-leading goalscorer, sharing the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

Russo netted 12 league goals for Arsenal and provided assists for a couple more.

She was also nominated 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 previous season:

"I play my best football when I'm having fun and I know I'm training hard and I'm getting my work done, so those are aspects that are within my power.

"There's so many different aspects to a number nine position, it's so detailed and there are tiny differences. I continue to develop. We have great coaches here at the club. I have great players to learn off as well. Then when the important matches arrive, the more you do them, the more comfortable you become."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The whole tournament was a complete rollercoaster. There were ups and downs. It tested us mentally. We were physically drained.

"I remember after the last-eight game, a lot of us were really, really battered and bruised. The pressure was immense. But recovery had to be swift. It moves so fast.

"In my view the way that we won throughout that whole tournament was just grit and resilience. And I think that we knew that we had the team, 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 sometimes you have to win a little bit dirty."

Discussing the European final:

"The overriding feeling that stands out from that entire occasion was just being so calm, 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 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 retain it that often.

"We as athletes in the high press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our job at hand. It was a lot of running and plenty of defending. But ultimately that's what got the job done. In my opinion 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 dad. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. 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 didn't have the chance of experiencing that. But observing her play was someone that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo scored twelve goals in twenty-one games in the Women's Super League the previous campaign to share the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the competition but she was also a constant threat in the penalty area throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (seventy-three) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than all her peers.

Russo's ability to contribute to the team outside of her goals distinguishes her.

Team-mate Mariona Caldentey often delivered progressive passes into her, so strong hold-up play was necessary.

Her skill to retreat into midfield, freeing herself from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements stood out.

If a marker 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 last season, no player was drawn more fouls 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 opponents are.

She uses minimal touches on the ball, directing it away from defenders applying player-to-player pressure, before locating close colleagues positioned facing towards the goal.

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

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