Female Soccer Player of the Year Contender Russo

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

Alessia Russo made history with her club as they became the pioneering English team to win the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in 2008, and also helped guide England to the defence of their continental title.

Russo found the net in the European Championship showpiece match and found her groove for her club, playing a crucial role all campaign long as an attacker and with her work off the ball.

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

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

She scored twelve league goals for the club and set up for a couple more.

Her name was put forward for the prestigious individual award and selected 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 know I'm training hard and I'm getting my work done, so those are aspects that I can always control.

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, it's so detailed and there are tiny differences. I continue to develop. We have great coaches here at the club. I have great players to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the important matches arrive, the more you do them, the more comfortable you become."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The whole tournament was a total emotional ride. There were ups and downs. It was emotionally really hard. We were physically drained.

"I remember after the last-eight game, many players were extremely sore and injured. 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 I think that we knew that we had the team, we knew that we had what it takes.

"Facing 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 stands out from that entire occasion was just being very composed, like we knew we'd done the work, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we believed in the strategy and what we aimed to achieve.

"Obviously playing against a team like Barcelona, you must accept not having the ball because they're so talented. When in possession, they don't give it away frequently.

"We as athletes in the high press and defensively, we were really focused on our job at hand. It was a lot of running and a lot of defensive work. 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 couple of occasions with my dad. Watching her internationally, too, her talent was remarkable. I hope that her career lasted more and still be playing now, but she was one of the best ever.

"I think those who teamed up with her would say the same thing and I didn't have the chance of doing that. But watching her was someone that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo scored 12 goals in 21 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 competition but Russo was also a constant threat in the penalty area all season long, attempting more efforts (73) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than all her peers.

Her capability to aid the side outside of her goals distinguishes her.

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

Her skill to retreat into midfield, freeing herself from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements was notable.

If a defender got too close, she used her body well to draw fouls, helping her team gain settled possession in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League last season, nobody was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (15).

When the ball does stick, her control are highly effective. Her regular awareness of her environment means she remains aware of where rivals are.

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

By retaining the ball in tough situations, Russo is regularly able to act as an outlet for her team under pressure.

She is able turn difficult passes into extended spells of controlled play and such phases in the attacking zone lead to goals, several of these she finishes personally.