Women's Footballer of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

Age: 26 Position: Striker Clubs: Arsenal and the English national team

The talented forward created a legacy with her club as they emerged as the first British team to win the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in the 2000s, and also played a key role in leading England to the defence of their European Championship crown.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 final and hit top form for her team, making significant contributions all campaign long as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

The forward was honored as the FWA's top female player for last season.

Russo finished as the Women's Super League's joint top scorer, earning a share of the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

Russo netted twelve league goals for the club and provided assists for a further two.

Her name was put forward for the prestigious individual award and named in the Professional Footballers' Association and the Uefa Champions League 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 I'm getting my work done, so that's something that are within my power.

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, 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 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. It was highs and lows. It tested us mentally. We were physically drained.

"I recall after the last-eight game, many players were extremely sore and injured. The pressure was immense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. It moves so fast.

"I think the way that we won during the event was just grit and resilience. And we were aware 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 sometimes you have to grind out results."

Discussing the European final:

"The overriding feeling 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 trusted 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 in possession, they retain it that often.

"As players in the press and defensively, we were really focused on our assigned tasks. It was a lot of running and a lot of defensive work. But ultimately that led to success. In my opinion you have to be content winning games like that as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I got the pleasure of seeing her play a few times with my dad. Seeing her for England, too, her talent was remarkable. I wish that she could have played longer and still be playing now, but she was one of the best ever.

"I believe those who teamed up with her would agree and I didn't have the chance 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 share the Golden Boot.

Not only was she one of the most clinical players in the competition but Russo was also a persistent danger in the box throughout the campaign, taking more shots (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (nine point seven) than any other player.

Russo's ability to aid the side beyond scoring distinguishes her.

Team-mate Mariona Caldentey regularly played forward balls into Russo, so effective ball retention was necessary.

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

If a defender got too close, Russo used her body well to draw fouls, helping her team gain settled possession in the enemy territory. In the European tournament the prior year, no player was fouled more than the forward (fifteen).

When the play settles, Russo's touches are extremely efficient. Her regular awareness of her surroundings means she remains aware of where opponents are.

She uses minimal touches on the ball, directing it away from defenders marking closely, before finding nearby team-mates oriented forward.

By retaining the ball in difficult scenarios, Russo is regularly able to act as an release option for her team under pressure.

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