Female Footballer of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

Age: 26 Playing Role: Forward Clubs: The Gunners and England

The talented forward created a legacy with her club as they became the pioneering English team to win the Women's Champions League since the North London side did in 2008, and also helped guide England to the successful retention of their European Championship crown.

She scored in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and found her groove for her club, playing a crucial role throughout the season 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 last season.

Russo finished as the Women's Super League's joint top scorer, sharing the Golden Boot with Khadija Shaw.

She scored 12 WSL 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 season's best XIs.

Her thoughts on personal development over the previous season:

"I play my best football when I'm having fun 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 so many fine margins. 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 big games arrive, the more you do them, the more comfortable you become."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The whole tournament was a complete rollercoaster. It was highs and lows. It was emotionally really hard. It was taxing on our bodies.

"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 during the event was just determination and toughness. And we were aware that we had the team, 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 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 the ability, and we knew that we believed in the game plan and what we wanted to do.

"Obviously playing against a side such as Barça, you've got to be comfortable not having the ball because their skill is exceptional. When in possession, they don't give it away frequently.

"We as athletes in the high press and defensively, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. It was a lot of running and a lot of defensive work. But ultimately that led to success. In my opinion you have to be content winning games like that as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I was fortunate of seeing her play a couple of occasions with my father. Watching her internationally, too, she was just incredible. I wish that she could have played longer and she was active today, but she ranks among the greats.

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

The striker notched twelve goals in 21 games in the Women's Super League last season to divide the Golden Boot.

Not only was she one of the most clinical players in the competition but she was also a persistent danger in the penalty area all season long, attempting more efforts (seventy-three) and recording a superior xG (nine point seven) than any other player.

Her capability to aid the side beyond scoring distinguishes her.

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

Her skill to retreat into midfield, creating space from her opposing defender through quick, incisive runs was notable.

If a defender got too close, she used her body well to draw fouls, assisting the side gain settled possession in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League the prior year, nobody was fouled more than the forward (fifteen).

When the play settles, Russo's touches are extremely efficient. 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 retaining the ball in difficult scenarios, Russo is often capable to act as an release option for her team under pressure.

She can convert tough balls into extended spells of stable possession and such phases in the attacking zone result in scores, many of which she finishes personally.