Women's Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Russo

Years Old: 26 Playing Role: Forward Clubs: The Gunners and England

Alessia Russo created a legacy with Arsenal as they became the pioneering British team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the Gunners did in the 2000s, and also played a key role in leading the Lionesses to the defence of their European Championship crown.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and hit top form for her team, making significant contributions throughout the season in front of goal and with her work off the ball.

Russo was honored as the Football Writers' Association's top female player for last season.

She was the Women's Super League's co-leading goalscorer, sharing the top scorer award with her rival striker.

She scored twelve league goals for the club and set up for a further two.

Her name was put forward for the prestigious individual award and selected in the PFA and the European 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 I'm training hard and completing my tasks, so that's something that are within my power.

"There's so many different aspects to a number nine position, it's so detailed and there are tiny differences. I'm always still learning. We have great coaches here at Arsenal. There are top teammates to learn off as well. Then when the important matches arrive, the more you do them, the more you get used to them."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The whole tournament was a total emotional ride. It was highs and lows. It was emotionally really hard. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I recall after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, a lot of us were extremely sore and injured. The pressure was immense. But recovery had to be swift. The schedule is relentless.

"In my view the way that we won throughout that whole tournament was just grit and resilience. And we were aware that we had the squad, 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 win a little bit dirty."

Discussing the European final:

"The overriding feeling 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 game plan and what we wanted to do.

"Obviously playing against a team like Barcelona, you've got to be comfortable not possessing the ball because their skill is exceptional. When they do have the ball, they don't give it away that often.

"As players in the high press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our job at hand. 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 securing victories in that manner as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I got the pleasure of watching her a couple of occasions with my father. Watching her internationally, too, she was just incredible. I wish that she could have played longer and still be playing now, but she ranks among the greats.

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

Alessia Russo scored twelve goals in twenty-one games in the Women's Super League last season to divide the Golden Boot.

She was not just one of the most clinical players in the competition but Russo was also a constant threat in the box 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 beyond scoring distinguishes her.

Team-mate a teammate regularly played forward balls into her, so strong hold-up play was essential.

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

If a marker got too close, she used her physicality to win free-kicks, helping her team secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League last season, nobody was drawn more fouls than the forward (15).

When the play settles, Russo's touches are highly effective. Her frequent scanning of her environment means she stays conscious of where rivals are.

Russo takes few contacts on the ball, moving it clear from opposing players marking closely, before locating close colleagues positioned facing towards the goal.

By keeping possession in difficult scenarios, Russo is often capable to act as an release option for her side in trouble.

She is able convert tough balls into long periods of stable possession and these possessions in the attacking zone result in scores, many of which she ends up scoring herself.