Women's Footballer of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

Years Old: 26 Playing Role: Forward Teams: Arsenal and the English national team

Alessia Russo created a legacy with her club as they became the first British team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in 2008, and also played a key role in leading the Lionesses to the successful retention of their European Championship crown.

She scored in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and found her groove for her club, making significant contributions throughout the season in front of goal and with her work off the ball.

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

Russo finished as the Women's Super League's co-leading goalscorer, earning a share of the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

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

She was also nominated for the prestigious individual award 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:

"I play my best football when I'm having fun and I'm confident my efforts in practice and I'm getting my work done, so that's something that are within my power.

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, it requires precision and there are so many fine margins. I'm always still learning. We have great coaches here at the club. I have great players to learn off as well. Then when the big games arrive, the more you do them, the more you get used to them."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The entire competition was a complete rollercoaster. There were ups and downs. It tested us mentally. We were physically drained.

"I recall after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, many players were really, really battered and bruised. 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 grit and resilience. And I think that we knew that we had the squad, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"Facing the top sides in the world, the elite athletes in the world and sometimes you have to win a little bit dirty."

On the Champions League final:

"The overriding feeling that I can remember from that entire occasion was just being very composed, like we knew we'd done the work, we knew that we had the ability, 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 their skill is exceptional. When in possession, they retain it that often.

"We as athletes in the high press and out of possession, we were really focused on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement and a lot of defensive work. But ultimately that led to success. I think that 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 seeing her play a few times with my father. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. I wish that her career lasted more 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 experiencing that. But observing her play was someone that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo notched 12 goals in twenty-one games in the WSL last season to share the Golden Boot.

She was not just one of the deadliest players in the league but she was also a persistent danger in the penalty area all season long, 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.

Team-mate Mariona Caldentey often delivered progressive passes into her, so effective ball retention was necessary.

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

If a defender got in tight, Russo used her body well to draw fouls, assisting the side gain settled possession in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League last season, nobody was fouled more than the forward (15).

When the play settles, her control are highly effective. Her frequent scanning of her surroundings means she remains aware of where rivals are.

Russo takes few contacts on the ball, moving it clear from opposing players applying player-to-player pressure, before locating close colleagues oriented forward.

By keeping possession 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 opponent's final third result in scores, several of these she finishes personally.