Women's Footballer of the Year Contender Russo

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

Alessia Russo made history with her club as they became the pioneering English team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in the 2000s, and also played a key role in leading England to the defence of their continental title.

Russo found the net in the European Championship showpiece match and found her groove for her team, playing a crucial role all campaign long in front of goal and with her work off the ball.

Russo was named the FWA's top female player for the previous campaign.

She was the WSL's joint top scorer, earning a share of the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

She scored twelve WSL goals for the club and set up for a further two.

She was also nominated for the prestigious individual award and named in the Professional Footballers' Association and the European teams of the year.

Russo on how she feels she has improved over the past year:

"My top performances come when I'm enjoying myself and I know my efforts in practice 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 tiny differences. I'm always still learning. We have great coaches here at the club. I have great players to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the important matches come around, the more you do them, the more comfortable you become."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The whole tournament was a total emotional ride. There were ups and downs. It was emotionally really hard. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I recall after the last-eight game, many players were really, really battered and bruised. It was so intense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. The schedule is relentless.

"I think the way that we won throughout that whole tournament was just grit and resilience. And I think that we knew that we had the squad, 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 grind out results."

On the Champions League final:

"The overriding feeling that stands out from that whole day was just being so calm, like we were confident our preparation was complete, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we trusted the game plan and what we wanted to do.

"Obviously playing against a team like Barcelona, you must accept not possessing the ball because they're so talented. When they do have the ball, they retain it frequently.

"We as athletes in the high press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement and a lot of defensive work. But ultimately 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 was fortunate of seeing her play a couple of occasions with my father. Watching her internationally, 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 those who teamed up with her would say the same thing and I didn't have the chance of experiencing that. But watching her was something that I greatly admired."

The striker scored 12 goals in 21 games in the Women's Super League last season to share the Golden Boot.

She was not just one of the deadliest players in the league but Russo was also a persistent danger in the box all season long, attempting more efforts (seventy-three) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than all her peers.

Her capability to aid the side beyond scoring sets her apart.

Team-mate a teammate regularly played progressive passes into Russo, so effective ball retention was essential.

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

If a marker got too close, Russo used her body well to win free-kicks, assisting the side gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the Champions' League last season, no player was drawn more fouls than the forward (fifteen).

When the ball does stick, Russo's touches are highly effective. Her regular awareness of her surroundings means she stays conscious of where rivals are.

She uses few contacts on the ball, moving it clear from defenders marking closely, before locating close colleagues oriented forward.

By keeping possession in difficult scenarios, she is often capable to act as an release option for her side in trouble.

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 ends up scoring herself.