Women's Soccer Player of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

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

The talented forward created a legacy with Arsenal as they emerged as the first English team to win the prestigious European competition since the Gunners did in 2008, and also helped guide the Lionesses to the defence of their European Championship title.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and hit top form for her team, making significant contributions throughout the season as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

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 joint top scorer, sharing the Golden Boot with Khadija Shaw.

She scored 12 WSL goals for Arsenal and provided assists for a further two.

She was also nominated for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and selected in the PFA 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'm confident I'm training hard and completing my tasks, so that's something that I can always control.

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, it's so detailed and there are so many fine margins. I continue to develop. 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 greater your experience, the more comfortable you become."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The whole tournament was a complete rollercoaster. It was highs and lows. It tested us mentally. We were physically drained.

"I recall after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, many players were extremely sore and injured. It was so intense. But recovery had to be swift. 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 team, we knew that we had what it takes.

"You're playing against the best teams in the world, the elite athletes in the world and occasionally 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 so calm, like we knew our preparation was complete, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we trusted the strategy and what we wanted to do.

"Naturally playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not possessing the ball because their skill is exceptional. When they do have the ball, they don't give it away frequently.

"We as athletes in the high press and defensively, we were really focused on our job at hand. It was a lot of running and plenty of defending. But in the end that's what got the job done. In my opinion you have to be content securing victories in that manner as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I was fortunate of seeing her play a few times with my dad. Watching her internationally, too, her talent was remarkable. I wish that she could have played longer and still be playing now, but she ranks among the greats.

"I believe those who teamed up with her would agree and I never got the pleasure of doing that. But observing her play was something that I always used to love."

The striker notched 12 goals in twenty-one games in the Women's Super League the previous campaign to divide the scoring award.

She was not just one of the deadliest players in the competition but Russo was also a constant threat in the box throughout the campaign, taking more shots (73) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than any other player.

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

Team-mate a teammate often delivered 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 was notable.

If a defender got too close, she used her body well to draw fouls, assisting the side secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the European tournament 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.

She uses minimal touches on the ball, directing it away from defenders marking closely, before locating close colleagues oriented forward.

By retaining the ball in difficult scenarios, she is regularly able to act as an outlet for her side in trouble.

She can turn difficult passes into extended spells of stable possession and these possessions in the attacking zone lead to goals, many of which she finishes personally.