Female Soccer Player of the Year Contender Russo

Years Old: 26 Position: Forward Clubs: Arsenal and England

Alessia Russo created a legacy with her club as they became the pioneering English team to win the Women's Champions League since the North London side did in the 2000s, and also played a key role in leading England to the defence of their continental crown.

She scored in the Euro 2025 final and found her groove for her club, playing a crucial role throughout the season in front of goal and with her defensive efforts.

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

She was the Women's Super League's co-leading goalscorer, earning a share of the top scorer award with Khadija Shaw.

Russo netted 12 league goals for the club and provided assists for a couple more.

Her name was put forward for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and named in the PFA and the Uefa Champions League season's best XIs.

Her thoughts on personal development over the past year:

"I play my best football when I'm enjoying myself and I'm confident I'm training hard and I'm getting my work done, so that's something that I can always control.

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, it requires precision and there are so many fine margins. I continue to develop. We have great coaches here at the club. There are top teammates to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the important matches arrive, the greater your experience, the more comfortable you become."

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 remember after the last-eight game, many players were extremely sore and injured. The pressure was immense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. It moves so fast.

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

"Facing the top sides in the world, the elite athletes in the world and sometimes you have to grind out results."

On the Champions League final:

"The main emotion that I can remember 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 trusted 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 frequently.

"We as athletes in the high press and defensively, we were really focused on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement 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, she was just incredible. I hope that her career lasted more and still be playing now, but she was one of the best ever.

"I think anyone that has played with Kelly would say the same thing and I didn't have the chance of experiencing that. But observing her play was someone that I always used to love."

Alessia Russo notched twelve goals in twenty-one games in the WSL last season to share the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the league but Russo was also a constant threat in the box all season long, attempting more efforts (73) and recording a superior xG (nine point seven) than all her peers.

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

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

Russo's ability to retreat into midfield, creating space from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements was notable.

If a marker got too close, she used her body well to draw fouls, helping her team secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League the prior year, nobody was drawn more fouls than the Arsenal striker (15).

When the play settles, Russo's touches are highly effective. Her regular awareness of her surroundings means she remains aware of where rivals are.

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, directing it away from opposing players marking closely, before finding nearby team-mates positioned facing towards the goal.

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

She can convert tough balls into extended spells of stable possession and such phases in the opponent's final third lead to goals, several of these she ends up scoring herself.