Women's Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Russo

Age: 26 Position: Striker Teams: Arsenal and the English national team

Alessia Russo made history with Arsenal as they emerged as the pioneering English team to win the prestigious European competition since the Gunners did in 2008, and also played a key role in leading the Lionesses to the defence of their continental crown.

She scored in the European Championship final and hit top form for her club, playing a crucial role all campaign long in front of goal and with her defensive efforts.

Russo was honored as the FWA's women's footballer of the year for last season.

She was the WSL's co-leading goalscorer, sharing the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

She scored 12 WSL goals for Arsenal and set up for a couple more.

Her name was put forward for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and selected in the Professional Footballers' Association and the Uefa Champions League season's best XIs.

Russo on how she feels she has improved over the previous season:

"I play my best football when I'm having fun and I'm confident 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's so detailed and there are so many fine margins. I'm always still learning. Our staff is excellent here at the club. I have great players to learn off as well. Then when the big games come around, the more you do them, the more you get used to them."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The entire competition was a complete rollercoaster. 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. It moves so fast.

"I think the way that we won during the event was just grit and resilience. 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 elite athletes in the world and occasionally you have to win a little bit dirty."

On the Champions League final:

"The overriding feeling 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 what it takes, and we knew that we believed in the strategy and what we wanted to do.

"Naturally playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not possessing the ball because their skill is exceptional. When in possession, they don't give it away frequently.

"As players in the high press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement and plenty of defending. But in the end that's what got the job done. In my opinion you have to be OK securing victories in that manner as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I got the pleasure of watching her a few times with my father. Seeing her for England, too, her talent was remarkable. I hope that her career lasted more and she was active today, but she ranks among the greats.

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

Alessia Russo scored twelve goals in twenty-one games in the Women's Super League the previous campaign 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 box throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (seventy-three) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than all her peers.

Her capability to aid the side outside of her goals distinguishes her.

Fellow player a teammate regularly played progressive passes into Russo, so effective ball retention was essential.

Russo's ability to drop deep, creating space from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements was notable.

If a defender got too close, she used her physicality to draw fouls, helping her team 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, her control are extremely efficient. Her regular awareness of her environment means she remains aware of where rivals are.

She uses few contacts on the ball, directing it away from opposing players applying player-to-player pressure, before locating 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 attacking zone result in scores, many of which she finishes personally.