Female Soccer Player of the Year Contender Russo

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

Alessia Russo made history with Arsenal as they emerged as the first British team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the North London side did in 2008, and also played a key role in leading England to the defence of their continental title.

She scored in the Euro 2025 final and hit top form for her team, playing a crucial role all campaign long as an attacker and with her work off the ball.

Russo was honored as the FWA's top female player for the previous campaign.

She was the WSL's joint top scorer, earning a share of the top scorer award with Khadija Shaw.

She scored twelve WSL goals for the club and set up for a further two.

She was also nominated for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and selected in the PFA and the Uefa Champions League 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 completing my tasks, so those are aspects that I can always control.

"There's so many different aspects to a number nine position, it's so detailed and there are so many fine margins. I continue to develop. Our staff is excellent here at the club. I have great players to learn off as well. Then when the important matches come around, the greater your experience, the more comfortable you become."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The entire competition was a complete rollercoaster. There were ups and downs. It tested us mentally. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I recall after the Sweden [quarter-final] 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 throughout that whole tournament was just determination and toughness. And we were aware that we had the squad, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"Facing the top sides in the world, the elite athletes in the world and sometimes you have to win a little bit dirty."

Discussing the European final:

"The overriding feeling that stands out from that entire occasion was just being very composed, like we knew our preparation was complete, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we trusted the strategy and what we wanted to do.

"Naturally playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not having the ball because their skill is exceptional. When they do have the ball, they don't give it away that often.

"We as athletes in the press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. It was a lot of running and a lot of defensive work. But ultimately that's what got the job done. I think that you have to be OK securing victories in that manner as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I got the pleasure of watching her a couple of occasions with my father. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. I hope that she could have played longer and she was active today, but she ranks among the greats.

"I think anyone that has played with Kelly would say the same thing and I didn't have the chance of experiencing that. But watching her was someone that I greatly admired."

The striker notched 12 goals in 21 games in the WSL the previous campaign to share 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 (seventy-three) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than all her peers.

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

Fellow player Mariona Caldentey often delivered forward balls into her, so strong hold-up play was essential.

Her skill to drop deep, freeing herself from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements was notable.

If a defender got in tight, Russo used her physicality to win free-kicks, helping her team gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the Champions' League the prior year, no player was drawn more fouls than the Arsenal striker (fifteen).

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

She uses few contacts on the ball, moving it clear from defenders applying player-to-player pressure, before locating close colleagues positioned facing towards the goal.

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

She is able convert tough balls into extended spells of stable possession and such phases in the attacking zone result in scores, several of these she finishes personally.