Women's Footballer of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

Years Old: 26 Playing Role: Forward Clubs: Arsenal and England

Alessia Russo made history with Arsenal as they emerged as the first British team to win the Women's Champions League since the North London side did in the 2000s, and also played a key role in leading the Lionesses to the defence of their continental title.

She scored in the Euro 2025 final and found her groove 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 Football Writers' Association's women's footballer of the year for last season.

Russo finished as the Women's Super League's co-leading goalscorer, sharing the top scorer award with Khadija Shaw.

She scored twelve league goals for the club and provided assists for a couple more.

Her name was put forward for the prestigious individual award 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'm confident I'm training hard and completing my tasks, so those are aspects that I can always control.

"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 learn off as well. Then when the important matches arrive, the more you do them, the more comfortable you become."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The whole tournament was a complete rollercoaster. There were ups and downs. It tested us mentally. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I remember after the Sweden [quarter-final] 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 team, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"You're playing against the best teams in the world, the elite athletes in the world and sometimes you have to grind out results."

Discussing the European final:

"The overriding feeling that I can remember from that entire occasion was just being so calm, like we knew 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.

"Obviously playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not possessing the ball because their skill is exceptional. When in possession, they retain it that often.

"As players in the press and defensively, we were really focused on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement 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."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I was fortunate of seeing her play a couple of occasions with my dad. Watching her internationally, too, she was just incredible. 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 say the same thing and I never got the pleasure of doing that. But observing her play was someone that I greatly admired."

The striker scored 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 competition but she was also a persistent danger in the box throughout the campaign, taking more shots (seventy-three) and recording a superior xG (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 strong hold-up play was necessary.

Russo's ability to retreat into midfield, creating space from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements stood out.

If a marker got in tight, Russo used her physicality to win free-kicks, helping her team gain settled possession in the enemy territory. In the European tournament last season, no player was drawn more fouls than the Arsenal striker (15).

When the ball does stick, her control are extremely efficient. Her regular awareness of her surroundings means she remains aware of where rivals are.

She uses few contacts on the ball, moving it clear from opposing players applying player-to-player pressure, before finding nearby team-mates positioned facing towards the goal.

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 extended spells of controlled play and these possessions in the attacking zone lead to goals, several of these she finishes personally.