Women's Footballer of the Year Contender Russo

Years Old: 26 Playing Role: Forward Clubs: Arsenal and England

Alessia Russo made history with her club as they emerged as the pioneering British team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in the 2000s, and also played a key role in leading England to the successful retention of their European Championship crown.

She scored in the European Championship final and hit top form for her team, playing a crucial role throughout the season in front of goal and with her work off the ball.

Russo was named 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, sharing the Golden Boot with Khadija Shaw.

Russo netted twelve WSL goals for the club and set up for a further two.

Her name was put forward for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and named in the Professional Footballers' Association and the Uefa Champions League season's best XIs.

Her thoughts on personal development 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.

"There's so many different aspects to a striker's role, it's so detailed and there are tiny differences. I'm always still learning. Our staff is excellent here at Arsenal. I have great players to gain knowledge from 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. 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 really, really battered and bruised. The pressure was immense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. The schedule is relentless.

"I think the way that we won throughout that whole tournament was just grit and resilience. And I think that we knew that we had the team, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"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 overriding feeling that stands out from that whole day was just being very composed, like we knew we'd done the work, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we believed in the strategy and what we wanted to do.

"Naturally playing against a team like Barcelona, you must accept not possessing the ball because they're so talented. When they do have the ball, they retain it that often.

"As players in the high press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. 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 got the pleasure of watching her a few times with my father. Watching her internationally, too, her talent was remarkable. I wish that she could have played longer and still be playing now, but she was one of the best ever.

"I believe anyone that has played with Kelly would say the same thing and I didn't have the chance of doing that. But observing her play was someone that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo scored 12 goals in twenty-one 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 competition but she was also a constant threat in the penalty area throughout the campaign, taking more shots (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (nine point seven) than all her peers.

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

Fellow player Mariona Caldentey often delivered progressive passes into her, so effective ball retention was necessary.

Her skill to drop deep, freeing herself from her opposing defender through quick, incisive runs was notable.

If a marker got too close, Russo used her body well to win free-kicks, assisting the side gain settled possession in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League the prior year, nobody was drawn more fouls than the Arsenal striker (15).

When the play settles, her control are extremely efficient. Her frequent scanning of her surroundings means she remains aware of where opponents are.

She uses few contacts on the ball, moving it clear from defenders applying player-to-player pressure, before finding nearby team-mates oriented forward.

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

She is able convert tough balls into extended spells of controlled play and these possessions in the attacking zone result in scores, many of which she finishes personally.