Women's Footballer of the Year Candidate Russo

Age: 26 Playing Role: Forward Teams: The Gunners and England

Alessia Russo made history with Arsenal as they emerged as the pioneering British team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in 2008, and also helped guide England to the defence of their European Championship crown.

Russo found the net in the European Championship final and found her groove for her club, making significant contributions throughout the season as an attacker and with her work off the ball.

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

She was the Women's Super League's joint top scorer, sharing the top scorer award with Khadija Shaw.

She scored twelve league goals for Arsenal and provided assists for a further two.

She was also nominated for the prestigious individual award and named in the PFA and the European 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 I can always control.

"There's so many different aspects to a number nine position, it requires precision and there are tiny differences. I continue to develop. We have great coaches here at the club. There are top teammates to learn off as well. Then when the important matches come around, the greater your experience, the more you get used to them."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The entire competition was a total emotional ride. It was highs and lows. It tested us mentally. We were physically drained.

"I remember after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, a lot of us were extremely sore and injured. It was so intense. But recovery had to be swift. It moves so fast.

"I think the way that we won during the event was just determination and toughness. And we were aware that we had the team, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"You're playing against the top sides in the world, the elite athletes in the world and occasionally 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 we'd done the work, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we believed in the game plan and what we aimed to achieve.

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

"As players in the high press and defensively, we were really focused on our job at hand. There was extensive movement and plenty of defending. But in the end that led to success. In my opinion you have to be OK securing victories in that manner as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I was fortunate of watching her a few times with my dad. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. I hope 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 say the same thing and I never got the pleasure of experiencing that. But observing her play was something that I always used to love."

The striker notched twelve goals in 21 games in the Women's Super League the previous campaign to divide the Golden Boot.

She was not just one of the most clinical players in the league but Russo was also a persistent danger in the penalty area all season long, attempting more efforts (73) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than any other player.

Russo's ability to contribute to the team outside of her goals distinguishes her.

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

Her skill to drop deep, creating space from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements stood out.

If a marker got in tight, Russo used her body well to win free-kicks, helping her team secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the European tournament last season, nobody was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (fifteen).

When the play settles, Russo's touches are highly effective. Her frequent scanning of her environment means she remains aware of where rivals are.

Russo takes few contacts on the ball, moving it clear from opposing players marking closely, before locating nearby team-mates oriented forward.

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

She can convert tough balls into long periods of controlled play and such phases in the attacking zone lead to goals, many of which she finishes personally.