Women's Footballer of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

Age: 26 Position: Forward Clubs: Arsenal and England

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

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 final and hit top form for her team, playing a crucial role throughout the season in front of goal 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 Women's Super League's co-leading goalscorer, earning a share of the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

She scored twelve league goals for the club and provided assists for a couple more.

Her name was put forward for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and selected in the PFA and the European 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 that's something that I can always control.

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, it requires precision 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 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 entire competition was a total emotional ride. There were ups and downs. It was emotionally really hard. We were physically drained.

"I recall 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 I think that we knew that we had the squad, we knew that we had what it takes.

"Facing the best teams in the world, the best players in the world and occasionally you have to win a little bit dirty."

Discussing the European final:

"The main emotion 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 wanted to do.

"Obviously playing against a team like Barcelona, you must accept not possessing the ball because they're so talented. When in possession, they retain it frequently.

"As players in the press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. It was a lot of running and plenty of defending. But ultimately that led to success. In my opinion you have to be OK winning games like that as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I got the pleasure of watching her a couple of occasions with my dad. Watching her internationally, too, her talent was remarkable. I wish that her career lasted more and still be playing now, but she was one of the best ever.

"I think those who teamed up with her would agree and I never got the pleasure of doing that. But watching her was someone that I always used to love."

The striker scored twelve goals in 21 games in the Women's Super League last season to share the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the competition but Russo was also a constant threat in the penalty area all season long, taking more shots (seventy-three) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than any other player.

Russo's ability to aid the side beyond scoring sets her apart.

Fellow player a teammate regularly played forward balls into her, so strong hold-up play was necessary.

Russo's ability to drop deep, creating space from her nearby marker through quick, incisive runs stood out.

If a marker got too close, Russo used her physicality to draw fouls, assisting the side secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League last season, no player was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (15).

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

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

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

She can turn difficult passes into extended spells of stable possession and these possessions in the opponent's final third lead to goals, many of which she ends up scoring herself.