Women's Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Russo

Years Old: 26 Position: Forward Clubs: The Gunners and the English national team

Alessia Russo created a legacy with Arsenal as they became the first English team to win the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in 2008, and also played a key role in leading the Lionesses to the defence of their continental title.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 final and hit top form for her club, playing a crucial role all campaign long in front of goal and with her work off the ball.

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

Russo finished as the WSL's joint top scorer, sharing the top scorer award with Khadija Shaw.

Russo netted twelve WSL goals for the club and set up for a further two.

Her name was put forward for the prestigious individual award and selected in the PFA and the European teams of the year.

Her thoughts on personal development over the previous season:

"I play my best football when I'm enjoying myself and I know I'm training hard and I'm getting my work done, so that's something that are within my power.

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, it's so detailed and there are so many fine margins. 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 more you do them, the more comfortable you become."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"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, 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 grit and resilience. And I think that we knew that we had the squad, we knew that we had what it takes.

"Facing the best teams 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 whole day was just being so calm, like we were confident 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.

"Naturally playing against a side such as Barça, you've got to be comfortable not having the ball because their skill is exceptional. When they do have the ball, they retain it that often.

"We as athletes in the press and out of possession, we were really focused on our assigned tasks. It was a lot of running and plenty of defending. 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 few times with my father. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. I hope that she could have played longer and still be playing now, but she ranks among the greats.

"I think anyone that has played with Kelly would agree and I didn't have the chance of doing that. But watching her was someone that I always used to love."

Alessia Russo notched 12 goals in twenty-one games in the WSL the previous campaign to divide the Golden Boot.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the league but she was also a constant threat in the box all season long, taking more shots (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than any other player.

Her capability to contribute to the team outside of her goals distinguishes her.

Team-mate Mariona Caldentey often delivered forward balls into her, so effective ball retention was necessary.

Her skill to retreat into midfield, creating space from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements was notable.

If a defender got too close, she used her physicality to draw fouls, assisting the side secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League last season, no player was fouled more than the forward (fifteen).

When the ball does stick, Russo's touches are extremely efficient. Her frequent scanning of her environment means she remains aware of where opponents are.

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

By keeping possession in tough situations, Russo is often capable to act as an outlet 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 lead to goals, many of which she ends up scoring herself.