Women's Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Russo

Years Old: 26 Position: Forward Teams: Arsenal and the English national team

The talented forward made history with Arsenal as they emerged as the pioneering English team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the North London side did in 2008, and also helped guide the Lionesses to the successful retention of their continental title.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and found her groove for her club, playing a crucial role throughout the season as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

Russo was named the Football Writers' Association's top female player for the previous campaign.

She was the WSL's co-leading goalscorer, earning a share of the Golden Boot with Khadija Shaw.

Russo netted twelve WSL goals for Arsenal and set up for a further two.

Her name was put forward for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and named in the Professional Footballers' Association and the European season's best XIs.

Her thoughts on personal development over the previous season:

"I play my best football when I'm enjoying myself 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. Our staff is excellent here at the club. There are top teammates to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the big games come around, the greater your experience, the more comfortable you become."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The entire competition was a complete rollercoaster. It was highs and lows. It was emotionally really hard. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I remember after the last-eight 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 throughout that whole tournament was just determination and toughness. And we were aware that we had the team, we knew that we had what it takes.

"Facing the best teams in the world, the best players in the world and sometimes you have to grind out results."

Discussing the European final:

"The overriding feeling that stands out from that entire occasion was just being very composed, like we were confident we'd done the work, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we believed in the strategy 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 their skill is exceptional. When they do have the ball, they retain it that often.

"As players in the high press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our job at hand. There was extensive movement and a lot of defensive work. But in the end that led to success. I think that you have to be OK winning games like that as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I got the pleasure of seeing her play a few times with my father. Seeing her for England, too, her talent was remarkable. I wish that she could have played longer and she was active today, but she ranks among the greats.

"I think 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."

Alessia Russo notched twelve goals in twenty-one games in the WSL the previous campaign to divide the scoring award.

She was not just one of the most clinical players in the league but Russo was also a persistent danger in the penalty area throughout the campaign, taking more shots (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than all her peers.

Her capability to contribute to the team outside of her goals sets her apart.

Team-mate a teammate often delivered progressive passes into Russo, so strong hold-up play was necessary.

Her skill to retreat into midfield, creating space from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements stood out.

If a defender got too close, she used her physicality to win free-kicks, assisting the side gain settled possession in the enemy territory. In the European tournament the prior year, nobody was fouled more than the forward (fifteen).

When the ball does stick, her control are extremely efficient. Her regular awareness of her surroundings means she stays conscious of where rivals are.

She uses few contacts on the ball, directing it away from opposing players applying player-to-player pressure, before locating close colleagues oriented forward.

By retaining the ball in tough situations, Russo is often capable to act as an release option for her side in trouble.

She can turn difficult passes into extended spells of controlled play and such phases in the opponent's final third lead to goals, several of these she finishes personally.