Women's Soccer Player of the Year Contender Russo

Years Old: 26 Position: Forward Teams: Arsenal and England

The talented forward created a legacy with Arsenal as they became the first British team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in the 2000s, and also helped guide the Lionesses to the successful retention of their European Championship crown.

Russo found the net in the European Championship final 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 Football Writers' Association's women's footballer of the year for the previous campaign.

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 Arsenal and provided assists for a further two.

She was also nominated for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and named in the PFA and the Uefa Champions League season's best XIs.

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 I'm training hard and I'm getting my work done, so that's something 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 the club. There are top teammates to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the big games arrive, the more you do them, the more you get used to them."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The entire competition was a complete rollercoaster. There were ups and downs. It tested us mentally. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I recall after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, a lot of us were really, really battered and bruised. It was so intense. But recovery had to be swift. The schedule is relentless.

"I think the way that we won during the event was just determination and toughness. And we were aware 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 grind out results."

On the Champions League final:

"The overriding feeling that I can remember from that whole day 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 side such as Barça, you've got to be comfortable not having the ball because they're so talented. When they do have the ball, they retain it that often.

"As players in the 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 led to success. 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, her talent was remarkable. I hope that she could have played longer and she was active today, but she ranks among the greats.

"I believe those who teamed up with her would say the same thing and I never got the pleasure of doing that. But observing her play was someone that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo scored twelve goals in 21 games in the WSL the previous campaign to divide the scoring award.

She was not just one of the deadliest players in the league but Russo was also a constant threat in the box throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than all her peers.

Her capability to aid the side outside of her goals sets her apart.

Fellow player a teammate often delivered progressive passes into her, so effective ball retention was essential.

Russo's ability to retreat into midfield, freeing herself from her opposing defender through quick, incisive runs was notable.

If a defender got too close, she used her physicality to win free-kicks, assisting the side gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the European tournament the prior year, no player was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (15).

When the play settles, Russo's touches are extremely efficient. 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 defenders applying player-to-player pressure, before finding nearby team-mates oriented forward.

By keeping possession in tough situations, she 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, several of these she finishes personally.