Women's Footballer of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

Years Old: 26 Position: Forward Teams: Arsenal and England

The talented forward made history with Arsenal as they emerged as the first British team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in 2008, and also helped guide England to the successful retention of their European Championship crown.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 final and found her groove for her club, making significant contributions all campaign long as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

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

Russo finished as the WSL's co-leading goalscorer, sharing the top scorer award 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 selected in the Professional Footballers' Association and the European teams of the year.

Her thoughts on personal development over the past year:

"I play my best football when I'm having fun 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 requires precision and there are so many fine margins. I'm always still learning. Our staff is excellent here at the club. There are top teammates to learn off as well. Then when the big games come around, the greater your experience, the more you get used to them."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The whole tournament was a complete rollercoaster. It was highs and lows. It was emotionally really hard. We were physically drained.

"I remember after the last-eight game, a lot of us were really, really battered and bruised. The pressure was immense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. The schedule is relentless.

"In my view the way that we won during the event was just determination and toughness. And I think that we knew that we had the squad, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"Facing 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 stands out from that entire occasion was just being very composed, like we knew our preparation was complete, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we believed in the strategy 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 press and defensively, 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."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I got the pleasure of watching her a couple of occasions with my dad. 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 anyone that has played with Kelly would agree and I never got the pleasure of experiencing that. But watching her was something that I always used to love."

The striker scored 12 goals in 21 games in the Women's Super League the previous campaign to share the Golden Boot.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the league but she was also a constant threat in the penalty area all season long, attempting more efforts (73) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than any other player.

Her capability to contribute to the team outside of her goals distinguishes her.

Fellow player a teammate often delivered progressive passes into her, so effective ball retention was essential.

Her skill to retreat into midfield, creating space from her nearby marker through sharp, darting movements was notable.

If a defender got too close, Russo used her physicality to win free-kicks, assisting the side gain settled possession in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League the prior year, no player was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (fifteen).

When the play settles, Russo's touches are highly effective. Her frequent scanning of her surroundings means she stays conscious of where rivals are.

She uses few contacts on the ball, directing it away from defenders applying player-to-player pressure, before locating nearby team-mates oriented forward.

By retaining the ball in difficult scenarios, Russo is often capable to act as an release option for her team under pressure.

She is able turn difficult passes into long periods of controlled play and such phases in the attacking zone lead to goals, several of these she ends up scoring herself.