Women's Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Russo

Age: 26 Position: Forward Clubs: Arsenal and England

The talented forward made history with Arsenal as they became the pioneering English team to win the prestigious European competition since the Gunners did in 2008, and also played a key role in leading England to the successful retention of their continental crown.

She scored in the Euro 2025 final and hit top form for her team, making significant contributions throughout the season in front of goal and with her work off the ball.

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

She was the Women's Super League's co-leading goalscorer, earning a share of the Golden Boot with Khadija Shaw.

Russo netted 12 WSL goals for Arsenal and set up for a couple more.

She was also nominated for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and named 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 know my efforts in practice and completing my tasks, so those are aspects that are within my power.

"There's so many different aspects to a striker's role, it's so detailed and there are so many fine margins. I'm always still learning. We have great coaches here at the club. There are top teammates to learn off 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 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. The pressure was immense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. The schedule is relentless.

"I think the way that we won during the event was just grit and resilience. And we were aware that we had the team, 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 win a little bit dirty."

Discussing the European final:

"The overriding feeling that stands out from that entire occasion was just being so calm, like we knew our preparation was complete, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we trusted the strategy and what we aimed to achieve.

"Obviously playing against a side such as Barça, you've got to be comfortable not having the ball because their skill is exceptional. When they do have the ball, they retain it frequently.

"We as athletes in the 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 in the end that's what got the job done. In my opinion 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 watching her a couple of occasions with my dad. Watching her internationally, too, her talent was remarkable. I hope that she could have played longer 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 observing her play was something that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo notched twelve goals in 21 games in the Women's Super League the previous campaign to share the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the competition but Russo was also a persistent danger in the box all season long, attempting more efforts (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (nine point seven) than all her peers.

Her capability to contribute to the team beyond scoring sets her apart.

Fellow player Mariona Caldentey regularly played forward balls into her, so effective ball retention was essential.

Russo's ability to drop deep, freeing herself from her opposing defender through quick, incisive runs stood out.

If a defender got in tight, she used her physicality to draw fouls, helping her team secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the Champions' League the prior year, no player was fouled more than the forward (15).

When the ball does stick, Russo's touches are extremely efficient. Her frequent scanning of her environment means she stays conscious of where rivals are.

Russo takes few contacts on the ball, directing it away from defenders marking closely, before finding close colleagues oriented forward.

By keeping possession in tough situations, Russo is often capable to act as an release option for her team under pressure.

She can turn difficult passes into long periods of controlled play and such phases in the attacking zone lead to goals, several of these she finishes personally.