Women's Footballer of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

Age: 26 Playing Role: Forward Clubs: Arsenal and England

Alessia Russo created a legacy with her club as they became the pioneering English team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in the 2000s, and also played a key role in leading the Lionesses to the defence of their European Championship crown.

She scored in the European Championship showpiece match and hit top form for her club, playing a crucial role throughout the season as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

Russo was honored as the Football Writers' Association's women's footballer of the year for last season.

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

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

She was also nominated for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and selected in the Professional Footballers' Association and the Uefa Champions League teams of the year.

Her thoughts on personal development over the previous season:

"I play my best football when I'm enjoying myself and I know I'm training hard and completing my tasks, so that's something that I can always control.

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, it's so detailed and there are tiny differences. I continue to develop. We have great coaches here at the club. There are top teammates to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the big games arrive, the greater your experience, the more comfortable you become."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The whole tournament was a total emotional ride. It was highs and lows. It tested us mentally. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I recall after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, a lot of us were extremely sore and injured. It was so intense. But recovery had to be swift. It moves so fast.

"I think the way that we won throughout that whole tournament was just determination and toughness. And we were aware that we had the team, we knew that we had what it takes.

"Facing the top sides in the world, the elite athletes in the world and occasionally you have to grind out results."

Discussing the European final:

"The main emotion that stands out from that entire occasion was just being so calm, like we were confident 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 aimed to achieve.

"Naturally playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not having the ball because their skill is exceptional. When in possession, they retain it frequently.

"As players in the high press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our job at hand. It was a lot of running and a lot of defensive work. But ultimately that led to success. I think that 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 dad. Seeing her for England, too, her talent was remarkable. I hope that her career lasted more and she was active today, but she was one of the best ever.

"I believe those who teamed up with her would say the same thing and I didn't have the chance of doing that. But watching her was something that I always used to love."

The striker scored 12 goals in 21 games in the WSL the previous campaign to share the Golden Boot.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the competition but Russo was also a persistent danger in the penalty area all season long, attempting more efforts (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than any other player.

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

Fellow player a teammate often delivered progressive passes into her, so strong hold-up play was essential.

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

If a marker got in tight, Russo used her body well to draw fouls, helping her team secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League last season, nobody was drawn more fouls than the Arsenal striker (fifteen).

When the ball does stick, Russo's touches are extremely efficient. Her regular awareness of her environment means she remains aware of where opponents are.

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, directing it away from opposing players marking closely, before locating nearby team-mates oriented forward.

By retaining the ball in tough situations, she is often capable to act as an outlet for her side in trouble.

She is able convert tough balls into long periods of stable possession and such phases in the attacking zone result in scores, many of which she finishes personally.