Women's Soccer Player of the Year Contender Russo

Years Old: 26 Playing Role: Striker Teams: The Gunners and the English national team

The talented forward made history with Arsenal as they emerged as the pioneering British team to win the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in the 2000s, and also helped guide England to the successful retention of their continental title.

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 Football Writers' Association's women's footballer of the year for last season.

Russo finished as the Women's Super League's co-leading goalscorer, sharing the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

Russo netted twelve WSL goals for the club and set up for a couple more.

Her name was put forward for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and named in the Professional Footballers' Association and the European season's best XIs.

Her thoughts on personal development over the past year:

"My top performances come when I'm having fun and I'm confident my efforts in practice and completing my tasks, so that's something that are within my power.

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, it's so detailed and there are so many fine margins. 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 big games arrive, the more you do them, the more comfortable you become."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"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. The pressure was immense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. It moves so fast.

"I think the way that we won throughout that whole tournament 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 top sides in the world, the best players in the world and sometimes you have to win a little bit dirty."

On the Champions League final:

"The main emotion that stands out from that whole day was just being so calm, like we were confident our preparation was complete, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we believed in the strategy and what we wanted to do.

"Obviously playing against a team like Barcelona, you've got to be comfortable not having the ball because their skill is exceptional. When in possession, they retain it frequently.

"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 a lot of defensive work. But in the end that's what got the job done. In my opinion you have to be content securing victories in that manner 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 father. Seeing her for England, 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 doing that. But observing her play was something that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo notched twelve goals in 21 games in the WSL the previous campaign to share the Golden Boot.

She was not just one of the deadliest players in the league but she was also a constant threat in the penalty area throughout the campaign, taking more shots (73) and recording a superior xG (nine point seven) than any other player.

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

Fellow player a teammate regularly played progressive passes into Russo, so effective ball retention was necessary.

Russo's ability to retreat into midfield, freeing herself from her nearby marker through quick, incisive runs was notable.

If a defender got in tight, Russo used her body well to win free-kicks, helping her team secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the European tournament the prior year, nobody was drawn more fouls than the Arsenal striker (fifteen).

When the ball does stick, Russo's touches are extremely efficient. Her regular awareness of her environment means she remains aware of where rivals are.

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from defenders marking closely, before finding close colleagues positioned facing towards the goal.

By retaining the ball in tough situations, Russo is often capable to act as an release option for her team under pressure.

She can convert tough balls into long periods of stable possession and these possessions in the opponent's final third result in scores, several of these she ends up scoring herself.