Female Footballer of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

Age: 26 Position: Striker Clubs: Arsenal and the English national team

The talented forward made history with her club as they emerged as the first English team to win the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in the 2000s, and also helped guide the Lionesses to the defence of their European Championship title.

Russo found the net in the European Championship showpiece match and found her groove for her team, making significant contributions all campaign long 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 last season.

She was the WSL's co-leading goalscorer, earning a share of the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

She scored twelve WSL goals for Arsenal and provided assists 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.

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 I'm getting my work done, so those are aspects that I can always control.

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, it's so detailed and there are tiny differences. I continue to develop. Our staff is excellent here at Arsenal. There are top teammates to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the big games come around, the more you do them, the more comfortable you become."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

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

"I recall after the last-eight game, many players were really, really battered and bruised. It was so intense. 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 determination and toughness. And we were aware that we had the team, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"You're playing against the best teams in the world, the best players in the world and occasionally you have to grind out results."

Discussing the European final:

"The overriding feeling that I can remember 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 trusted the game plan and what we aimed to achieve.

"Obviously playing against a side such as Barça, you've got to be comfortable not having the ball because their skill is exceptional. When in possession, they don't give it away frequently.

"We as athletes in the high press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our job at hand. It was a lot of running and plenty of defending. But in the end that led to success. In my opinion you have to be content securing victories in that manner as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I was fortunate of watching her a few times with my father. 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 believe anyone that has played with Kelly would say the same thing and I never got the pleasure of experiencing that. But observing her play was something that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo scored 12 goals in twenty-one games in the Women's Super League last season to divide the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the most clinical players in the league but Russo was also a constant threat in the penalty area all season long, taking more shots (73) and recording a superior xG (nine point seven) than all her peers.

Russo's ability to contribute to the team beyond scoring sets her apart.

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

Russo's ability to retreat into midfield, creating space from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements stood out.

If a defender got too close, Russo used her physicality to draw fouls, helping her team gain settled possession in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League the prior year, nobody was drawn more fouls than the forward (fifteen).

When the ball does stick, her control are highly effective. Her frequent scanning of her environment means she stays conscious of where opponents are.

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from opposing players marking closely, before locating nearby team-mates oriented forward.

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

She can turn difficult passes into extended spells of controlled play and such phases in the attacking zone lead to goals, several of these she ends up scoring herself.