Female Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Russo

Age: 26 Playing Role: Striker Clubs: Arsenal and the English national team

Alessia Russo made history with her club as they emerged as the first English team to win the Women's Champions League since the North London side did in 2008, and also helped guide the Lionesses to the successful retention of their continental crown.

She scored in the European Championship final and found her groove for her club, making significant contributions throughout the season in front of goal and with her work off the ball.

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 joint top scorer, earning a share of the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

Russo netted 12 WSL goals for the club and provided assists for a further two.

Her name was put forward for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and named in the PFA and the Uefa Champions League teams of the year.

Russo on how she feels she has improved over the past year:

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

"Numerous elements 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 important matches arrive, the more you do them, the more you get used to them."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The whole tournament was a total emotional ride. There were ups and downs. It tested us mentally. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I recall after the last-eight game, a lot of us 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 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 best teams in the world, the best players in the world and occasionally you have to win a little bit dirty."

On the Champions League final:

"The main emotion that stands out from that entire occasion was just being very composed, 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 aimed to achieve.

"Obviously 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 retain it that often.

"We as athletes in the high press and defensively, we were highly concentrated on our job at hand. It was a lot of running and a lot of defensive work. But in the end that led to success. In my opinion you have to be OK winning games like that as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I got the pleasure of seeing her play a couple of occasions with my father. Seeing her for England, 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 think 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 always used to love."

Alessia Russo scored 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 competition but she was also a constant threat in the box throughout the campaign, taking more shots (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than all her peers.

Her capability to contribute to the team beyond scoring distinguishes her.

Team-mate Mariona Caldentey often delivered progressive passes into her, so strong hold-up play was essential.

Her skill to drop deep, freeing herself from her nearby marker through quick, incisive runs stood out.

If a marker got too close, she used her physicality to draw fouls, helping her team gain settled possession in the enemy territory. In the European tournament the prior year, no player was fouled more than the forward (15).

When the ball does stick, Russo's touches are highly effective. Her frequent scanning of her environment means she stays conscious of where opponents are.

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

By keeping possession in difficult scenarios, she is regularly able to act as an release option for her side in trouble.

She can convert tough balls into long periods of controlled play and such phases in the attacking zone lead to goals, many of which she ends up scoring herself.