Women's Footballer of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

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

The talented forward made history with Arsenal as they emerged as the pioneering British team to win the Women's Champions League since the North London side did in the 2000s, and also helped guide England to the successful retention of their continental title.

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 defensive efforts.

Russo was named the Football Writers' Association's women's footballer of the year for last season.

Russo finished as the WSL's co-leading goalscorer, sharing the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

She scored 12 league goals for Arsenal and set up for a couple more.

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

Russo on how she feels she has improved over the past year:

"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 those are aspects that I can always control.

"There's so many different aspects to a striker's role, 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 gain knowledge from as well. Then when the important matches come around, the more you do them, the more comfortable you become."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

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

"I recall after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, many players were really, really battered and bruised. The pressure was immense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. 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 what it takes.

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

On the Champions League final:

"The main emotion 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 what it takes, and we knew that we believed in the game plan and what we aimed to achieve.

"Naturally playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not possessing the ball because they're so talented. When in possession, they retain it frequently.

"As players 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 led to success. I think that you have to be OK securing victories in that manner as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I was fortunate of watching her a couple of occasions with my father. Watching her internationally, too, she was just incredible. I wish that her career lasted more 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 watching her was something that I greatly admired."

The striker notched 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 deadliest players in the league but she was also a constant threat in the penalty area all season long, attempting more efforts (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than any other player.

Russo's ability to aid the side outside of her goals distinguishes her.

Fellow player Mariona Caldentey often delivered progressive passes into her, so strong hold-up play was essential.

Her skill to retreat into midfield, creating space from her opposing defender through quick, incisive runs stood out.

If a defender got in tight, Russo used her body well to win free-kicks, assisting the side gain settled possession in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League the prior year, nobody was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (15).

When the play settles, her control are highly effective. Her regular awareness of her surroundings means she stays conscious of where rivals are.

She uses minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from defenders applying player-to-player pressure, before locating nearby team-mates oriented forward.

By keeping possession in tough situations, she is often capable to act as an release option for her side in trouble.

She can turn difficult passes into long periods of controlled play and these possessions in the attacking zone result in scores, several of these she ends up scoring herself.