Women's Footballer of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

Age: 26 Position: Striker Teams: The Gunners and England

Alessia Russo made history with her club as they emerged as the first English team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the North London side did in the 2000s, and also helped guide England to the defence of their continental title.

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

The forward was named the Football Writers' Association's women's footballer of the year for the previous campaign.

Russo finished as the WSL's co-leading goalscorer, earning a share of the top scorer award with Khadija Shaw.

She scored 12 league goals for the club and provided assists for a further two.

She was also nominated for the prestigious individual award and selected in the PFA and the European season's best XIs.

Her thoughts on personal development over the previous season:

"My top performances come when I'm enjoying myself and I'm confident I'm training hard and I'm getting my work done, so that's something that I can always control.

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, it requires precision and there are so many fine margins. I continue to develop. Our staff is excellent here at Arsenal. There are top teammates to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the big games come around, the greater your experience, 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 was emotionally really hard. We were physically drained.

"I remember after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, many players were extremely sore and injured. It was so intense. 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 grit and resilience. And I think that we knew that we had the squad, we knew that we had what it takes.

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

Discussing the European final:

"The overriding feeling that stands out from that entire occasion was just being so calm, like we knew our preparation was complete, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we believed in the strategy and what we wanted to do.

"Obviously playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not possessing the ball because their skill is exceptional. When in possession, they don't give it away that often.

"We as athletes in the high press and out of possession, we were really focused on our job at hand. There was extensive movement and plenty of defending. But ultimately that's what got the job done. In my opinion you have to be OK winning games like that as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I was fortunate of seeing her play a few times 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 was one of the best ever.

"I think those who teamed up with her would agree and I didn't have the chance of doing that. But watching her was something that I always used to love."

The striker notched 12 goals in twenty-one games in the Women's Super League last season to share the scoring award.

She was not just one of the most clinical players in the competition but Russo was also a constant threat in the penalty area all season long, taking more shots (seventy-three) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than any other player.

Her capability to aid the side beyond scoring distinguishes her.

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

Russo's ability to drop deep, creating space from her nearby marker through quick, incisive runs stood out.

If a marker got too close, she used her physicality to draw fouls, helping her team gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the European tournament last season, nobody was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (15).

When the ball does stick, her control are extremely efficient. 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 applying player-to-player pressure, before locating close colleagues positioned facing towards the goal.

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

She is able turn difficult passes into long periods of controlled play and these possessions in the opponent's final third lead to goals, many of which she finishes personally.