Women's Footballer of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

Age: 26 Position: Striker Teams: The Gunners and the English national team

The talented forward made history with Arsenal as they emerged as the pioneering British 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 successful retention of their continental title.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and found her groove for her team, playing a crucial role throughout the season as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

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

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

Russo netted 12 league goals for the club and provided assists for a further two.

She was also nominated for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and named in the PFA and the Uefa Champions League 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 I'm getting my work done, so those are aspects that are within my power.

"There's so many different aspects to a number nine position, it's so detailed and there are so many fine margins. I continue to develop. We have great coaches here at the club. There are top teammates to learn off 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 complete rollercoaster. There were ups and downs. It was emotionally really hard. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I recall after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, many players were extremely sore and injured. The pressure was immense. But recovery had to be swift. It moves so fast.

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

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

Discussing the European final:

"The overriding feeling that stands out from that entire occasion was just being very composed, like we knew our preparation was complete, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we believed in the game plan and what we wanted to do.

"Naturally playing against a team like Barcelona, you must accept not having the ball because their skill is exceptional. When in possession, they retain it frequently.

"We as athletes in the press and defensively, we were highly concentrated on our job at hand. There was extensive movement and plenty of defending. But ultimately that led to success. 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 was fortunate of seeing her play a few times with my dad. Watching her internationally, too, she was just incredible. I wish that she could have played longer and she was active today, but she was one of the best ever.

"I believe anyone that has played with Kelly would say the same thing and I never got the pleasure of doing that. But observing her play was something that I always used to love."

Alessia Russo scored twelve goals in 21 games in the WSL last season to share the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the league but Russo was also a persistent danger in the penalty area throughout the campaign, taking more shots (seventy-three) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than all her peers.

Russo's ability to contribute to the team outside of her goals distinguishes her.

Team-mate Mariona Caldentey regularly played progressive passes into her, so effective ball retention was essential.

Russo's ability to drop deep, creating space from her opposing defender through quick, incisive runs was notable.

If a defender got too close, Russo used her physicality to draw fouls, helping her team secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the European tournament last season, nobody was drawn more fouls than the Arsenal striker (15).

When the ball does stick, her control are extremely efficient. Her frequent scanning of her surroundings means she stays conscious of where opponents are.

She uses few contacts on the ball, moving it clear from defenders marking closely, before finding nearby team-mates oriented forward.

By retaining the ball in tough situations, Russo is regularly able to act as an release option for her team under pressure.

She is able convert tough balls into long periods of controlled play and such phases in the attacking zone result in scores, several of these she finishes personally.