Female Footballer of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

Age: 26 Position: Forward Clubs: The Gunners and the English national team

Alessia Russo made history with Arsenal as they became the first English team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the North London side did in 2008, and also played a key role in leading England to the defence of their continental title.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and hit top form for her team, making significant contributions throughout the season as an attacker and with her work off the ball.

Russo was named the FWA's women's footballer of the year for the previous campaign.

She was the WSL's joint top scorer, sharing the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

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

Her name was put forward for the prestigious individual award and selected in the Professional Footballers' Association and the European teams of the year.

Russo on how she feels she has improved over the past year:

"My top performances come when I'm having fun and I know my efforts in practice and completing my tasks, so those are aspects that I can always control.

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, it's so detailed and there are so many fine margins. I continue to develop. We have great coaches here at Arsenal. There are top teammates to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the important matches arrive, the more you do them, the more you get used to them."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The whole tournament was a total emotional ride. There were ups and downs. It was emotionally really hard. We were physically drained.

"I remember after the last-eight 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 during the event was just determination and toughness. And we were aware that we had the squad, we knew that we had what it takes.

"Facing the top sides 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 so calm, like we were confident we'd done the work, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we trusted the strategy and what we aimed to achieve.

"Naturally playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not having the ball because they're so talented. When in possession, they don't give it away frequently.

"We as athletes in the press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated 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 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 father. Seeing her for England, too, her talent was remarkable. I wish that her career lasted more and still be playing now, but she ranks among the greats.

"I think 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 someone that I greatly admired."

The striker scored twelve goals in twenty-one games in the WSL last season to divide the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the most clinical players in the league but she was also a persistent danger in the box all season long, attempting more efforts (seventy-three) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than all her peers.

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

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

Her skill to retreat into midfield, creating space from her nearby marker through quick, incisive runs was notable.

If a marker got in tight, she used her body well to win free-kicks, assisting the side secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League the prior year, nobody was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (15).

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

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, directing it away from defenders applying player-to-player pressure, before locating close colleagues positioned facing towards the goal.

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 extended spells of stable possession and these possessions in the attacking zone result in scores, several of these she finishes personally.