Women's Footballer of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

Years Old: 26 Position: Striker Clubs: Arsenal and the English national team

The talented forward created a legacy with her club as they became the first British team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in 2008, and also helped guide England to the successful retention of their European Championship title.

She scored in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and hit top form for her club, playing a crucial role all campaign long as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

Russo was named the Football Writers' Association's top female player for the previous campaign.

She was the WSL's co-leading goalscorer, sharing the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

Russo netted 12 league goals for Arsenal and set up for a further two.

She was also nominated for the prestigious individual award and named in the Professional Footballers' Association and the European season's best XIs.

Russo on how she feels she has improved over the previous season:

"My top performances come when I'm enjoying myself and I'm confident I'm training hard and completing my tasks, so those are aspects that are within my power.

"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 Arsenal. There are top teammates to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the big games arrive, the more you do them, the more you get used to them."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The whole tournament was a total emotional ride. There were ups and downs. It was emotionally really hard. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I recall after the last-eight game, many players were really, really battered and bruised. It was so intense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. The schedule is relentless.

"I think the way that we won throughout that whole tournament was just determination and toughness. And I think that we knew that we had the team, we knew that we had what it takes.

"Facing the best teams in the world, the best players in the world and sometimes you have to win a little bit dirty."

Discussing the European final:

"The main emotion that stands out from that whole day was just being very composed, like we were confident our preparation was complete, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we believed in the game plan and what we wanted to do.

"Naturally 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 don't give it away that often.

"As players in the high press and defensively, 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. In my opinion you have to be OK securing victories in that manner as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I got the pleasure of seeing her play a few times with my father. Watching her internationally, too, her talent was remarkable. I hope that her career lasted more and she was active today, but she ranks among the greats.

"I believe those who teamed up with her would say the same thing and I never got the pleasure of experiencing that. But observing her play was someone that I always used to love."

Alessia Russo notched 12 goals in twenty-one games in the Women's Super League the previous campaign to share the Golden Boot.

She was not just one of the deadliest players in the league but Russo was also a constant threat in the box throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (seventy-three) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than any other player.

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

Fellow player a teammate regularly played forward balls into her, so strong hold-up play was necessary.

Her skill to drop deep, freeing herself from her opposing defender through quick, incisive runs was notable.

If a defender got in tight, Russo used her body well to draw fouls, 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 play settles, her control are highly effective. Her frequent scanning of her surroundings means she stays conscious of where rivals are.

Russo takes few contacts on the ball, directing it away from opposing players marking closely, before locating nearby team-mates oriented forward.

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

She can turn difficult passes into extended spells of stable possession and such phases in the opponent's final third result in scores, many of which she finishes personally.