Women's Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Russo

Years Old: 26 Playing Role: Striker Teams: The Gunners and England

Alessia Russo created a legacy with Arsenal as they became the pioneering British team to win the Women's Champions League since the North London side did in 2008, and also helped guide England to the defence of their continental crown.

She scored in the European Championship showpiece match and hit top form for her club, playing a crucial role throughout the season in front of goal and with her work off the ball.

The forward was named the FWA's women's footballer of the year for last season.

She was the WSL's joint top scorer, earning a share of the top scorer award with her rival striker.

Russo netted 12 league goals for Arsenal and provided assists for a further two.

Her name was put forward for the prestigious individual award and selected in the PFA and the European season's best XIs.

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

"I play my best football when I'm enjoying myself and I know I'm training hard and completing my tasks, so those are aspects that I can always control.

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, it requires precision and there are so many fine margins. I'm always still learning. We have great coaches here at the club. I have great players to learn off as well. Then when the important matches arrive, the more you do them, the more comfortable you become."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The whole tournament was a total emotional ride. It was highs and lows. It tested us mentally. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I remember after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, many players were really, really battered and bruised. It was so intense. But recovery had to be swift. It moves so fast.

"I think the way that we won during the event was just grit and resilience. And we were aware that we had the team, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"You're playing against the top sides in the world, the elite athletes in the world and sometimes you have to grind out results."

Discussing the European 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.

"Naturally playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not possessing the ball because they're so talented. When they do have the ball, they don't give it away that often.

"We as athletes in the high press and out of possession, we were really focused on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement and a lot of defensive work. But ultimately that led to success. In my opinion you have to be content securing victories in that manner as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I was fortunate of seeing her play a few times with my father. Watching her internationally, too, her talent was remarkable. I wish that her career lasted more and still be playing now, but she ranks among the greats.

"I believe those who teamed up with her would agree and I didn't have the chance of experiencing that. But watching her was something that I greatly admired."

The striker notched twelve goals in twenty-one games in the WSL last season to divide the Golden Boot.

She was not just one of the deadliest players in the league but Russo was also a constant threat in the penalty area throughout the campaign, taking more shots (73) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than all her peers.

Russo's ability to contribute to the team outside of her goals distinguishes her.

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

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

If a defender got in tight, she used her physicality to draw fouls, assisting the side gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the European tournament last season, no player was fouled more than the forward (15).

When the ball does stick, 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, moving it clear from opposing players marking closely, before locating close colleagues oriented forward.

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

She is able turn difficult passes into extended spells of stable possession and such phases in the opponent's final third result in scores, several of these she ends up scoring herself.