Women's Footballer of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

Age: 26 Playing Role: Striker Teams: The Gunners and England

The talented forward made history with Arsenal as they became the first British team to win the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in the 2000s, and also helped guide England to the defence of their European Championship title.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 final and hit top form for her team, making significant contributions throughout the season in front of goal and with her work off the ball.

Russo was honored as the Football Writers' Association's women's footballer of the year for last season.

Russo finished as the WSL's joint top scorer, earning a share of the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

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

She was also nominated for the prestigious individual award and selected in the Professional Footballers' Association and the Uefa Champions League teams of the year.

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

"I play my best football when I'm having fun and I know I'm training hard and I'm getting my work done, so those are aspects that I can always control.

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, it's so detailed and there are tiny differences. I'm always still learning. Our staff is excellent here at the club. I have great players to learn off as well. Then when the big games come around, the greater your experience, the more you get used to them."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The entire competition was a complete rollercoaster. There were ups and downs. It was emotionally really hard. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I remember 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. It moves so fast.

"In my view 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 the necessary qualities.

"You're playing against the top sides in the world, the best players in the world and sometimes you have to win a little bit dirty."

Discussing the European final:

"The overriding feeling 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 what it takes, and we knew that we trusted the strategy and what we wanted to do.

"Obviously playing against a team like Barcelona, you've got to be comfortable not possessing the ball because their skill is exceptional. When in possession, they retain it that often.

"We as athletes in the high press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement and a lot of defensive work. 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 watching her a few times with my father. Watching her internationally, too, her talent was remarkable. I wish that she could have played longer and still be playing now, but she was one of the best ever.

"I believe those who teamed up with her would say the same thing and I never got the pleasure of doing that. But watching her was someone that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo notched 12 goals in 21 games in the Women's Super League the previous campaign to divide the Golden Boot.

Not only was she one of the most clinical players in the competition but she was also a persistent danger in the penalty area all season long, taking more shots (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (nine point seven) than any other player.

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

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

Russo's ability to retreat into midfield, creating space from her nearby marker through sharp, darting movements stood out.

If a marker got too close, Russo used her physicality to win free-kicks, helping her team gain settled possession in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League the prior year, no player was drawn more fouls than the forward (15).

When the ball does stick, Russo's touches are highly effective. Her frequent scanning of her surroundings means she remains aware of where rivals are.

She uses minimal touches on the ball, directing it away from opposing players marking closely, before finding close colleagues oriented forward.

By keeping possession in tough situations, she is regularly able to act as an release option for her team under pressure.

She is able convert tough balls into long periods of controlled play and these possessions in the opponent's final third lead to goals, several of these she ends up scoring herself.