Women's Soccer Player of the Year Contender Russo

Years Old: 26 Playing Role: Striker Clubs: Arsenal and England

The talented forward created a legacy with Arsenal as they became the first British team to win the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in 2008, and also helped guide the Lionesses to the defence of their European Championship crown.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 final and hit top form for her team, playing a crucial role throughout the season in front of goal and with her work off the ball.

Russo was honored as the Football Writers' Association's top female player for last season.

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

She scored 12 league goals for the club and set up 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.

Her thoughts on personal development over the previous season:

"My top performances come when I'm having fun and I'm confident my efforts in practice and I'm getting my work done, so that's something that I can always control.

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, it requires precision and there are tiny differences. I continue to develop. We have great coaches here at Arsenal. There are top teammates to learn off as well. Then when the big games 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. There were ups and downs. 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.

"In my view the way that we won throughout that whole tournament was just determination and toughness. And I think that we knew that we had the squad, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"You're playing against the best teams in the world, the elite athletes in the world and occasionally you have to win a little bit dirty."

On the Champions League final:

"The overriding feeling that stands out from that whole day 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 believed in the strategy and what we wanted to do.

"Obviously playing against a team like Barcelona, you must accept not having the ball because they're so talented. When they do have the ball, they retain it frequently.

"We as athletes in the press and out of possession, we were really focused on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement 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 got the pleasure of watching her a few times with my father. Watching her internationally, too, she was just incredible. I wish that she could have played longer and she was active today, but she was one of the best ever.

"I think anyone that has played with Kelly would say the same thing and I never got the pleasure of experiencing that. But observing her play was someone that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo scored 12 goals in 21 games in the Women's Super League the previous campaign to divide the Golden Boot.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the league but Russo was also a constant threat in the penalty area all season long, attempting more efforts (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (nine point seven) than all her peers.

Her capability to aid the side outside of her goals sets her apart.

Fellow player a teammate regularly played forward balls into Russo, so effective ball retention was essential.

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

If a marker got in tight, she used her body well to draw fouls, assisting the side gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the Champions' League last season, nobody was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (fifteen).

When the ball does stick, Russo's touches are extremely efficient. Her regular awareness of her environment means she stays conscious of where opponents are.

She uses minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from defenders marking closely, before finding close colleagues oriented forward.

By keeping possession in difficult scenarios, she is regularly able to act as an outlet for her side in trouble.

She is able turn difficult passes into extended spells of stable possession and these possessions in the attacking zone lead to goals, many of which she finishes personally.