Women's Footballer of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

Age: 26 Position: Forward Teams: Arsenal and the English national team

The talented forward made history with her club as they became the pioneering English team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in the 2000s, and also helped guide the Lionesses to the defence of their continental crown.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and hit top form for her club, making significant contributions throughout the season as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

Russo was named 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, earning a share of the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

Russo netted 12 WSL goals for Arsenal 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 Uefa Champions League teams of the year.

Her thoughts on personal development over the past year:

"My top performances come 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.

"There's so many different aspects to a striker's role, it requires precision and there are so many fine margins. I'm always still learning. Our staff is excellent here at the club. There are top teammates to learn off as well. Then when the important matches come around, the more you do them, the more you get used to them."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

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

"I recall after the last-eight game, many players were really, really battered and bruised. The pressure was immense. But recovery had to be swift. It moves so fast.

"In my view the way that we won during the event was just determination and toughness. And I think that we knew that we had the squad, we knew that we had what it takes.

"Facing 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 stands out from that whole day was just being so calm, like we knew we'd done the work, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we trusted the strategy and what we wanted to do.

"Obviously playing against a team like Barcelona, you must accept not having the ball because their skill is exceptional. When they do have the ball, they retain it frequently.

"We as athletes in the high press and defensively, we were highly concentrated 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 securing victories in that manner as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I was fortunate of seeing her play a few times with my dad. Watching her internationally, too, her talent was remarkable. I wish that she could have played longer and she was active today, but she was one of the best ever.

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

Alessia Russo notched twelve goals in 21 games in the WSL last season to divide the Golden Boot.

She was not just one of the most clinical players in the league but she was also a constant threat in the box throughout the campaign, taking more shots (73) and recording a superior xG (nine point seven) than all her peers.

Her capability to aid the side beyond scoring sets her apart.

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

Her skill to retreat into midfield, creating space from her opposing defender through quick, incisive runs was notable.

If a defender got too close, Russo used her physicality to win free-kicks, assisting the side secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the European tournament the prior year, no player was drawn more fouls than the forward (15).

When the play settles, Russo's touches are extremely efficient. Her frequent scanning of her environment means she stays conscious of where opponents are.

Russo takes few contacts on the ball, directing it away from defenders applying player-to-player pressure, before finding nearby team-mates positioned facing towards the goal.

By retaining the ball in difficult scenarios, Russo is regularly able to act as an release option for her team under pressure.

She is able convert tough balls into extended spells of stable possession and such phases in the opponent's final third result in scores, several of these she finishes personally.