Female Footballer of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

Years Old: 26 Position: Forward Teams: The Gunners and England

The talented forward made history with her club as they became the first British team to claim victory in 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.

Russo found the net in the European Championship showpiece match and found her groove for her team, playing a crucial role all campaign long as an attacker and with her work off the ball.

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

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

Russo netted twelve 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.

Her thoughts on personal development over the previous season:

"I play my best football when I'm having fun and I know my efforts in practice and I'm getting my work done, so that's something that I can always control.

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, it requires precision and there are so many fine margins. I continue to develop. Our staff is excellent here at the club. There are top teammates to learn off as well. Then when the important matches arrive, the greater your experience, the more comfortable you become."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The entire competition was a total emotional ride. It was highs and lows. It was emotionally really hard. We were physically drained.

"I remember after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, a lot of us were really, really battered and bruised. The pressure was immense. 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 the necessary qualities.

"You're playing against the top sides in the world, the elite athletes in the world and occasionally you have to win a little bit dirty."

Discussing the European final:

"The main emotion that I can remember from that entire occasion was just being so calm, like we knew our preparation was complete, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we believed in the strategy and what we wanted to do.

"Obviously playing against a team like Barcelona, you must accept not possessing the ball because their skill is exceptional. When they do have the ball, they retain it that often.

"We as athletes in the press and defensively, we were really focused on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement and plenty of defending. But in the end that's what got the job done. In my opinion you have to be content 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 few times with my dad. Watching her internationally, too, she was just incredible. I hope that her career lasted more and still be playing now, but she ranks among the greats.

"I believe anyone that has played with Kelly would say the same thing and I never got the pleasure of doing that. But watching her was someone that I greatly admired."

The striker scored 12 goals in twenty-one games in the Women's Super League last season to divide the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the most clinical players in the competition but Russo was also a constant threat in the box all season long, attempting more efforts (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than any other player.

Her capability to aid the side outside of her goals sets her apart.

Fellow player Mariona Caldentey regularly played progressive passes into Russo, so strong hold-up play was essential.

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

If a marker got too close, she used her physicality to draw fouls, assisting the side secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the European tournament last season, no player was drawn more fouls than the forward (15).

When the ball does stick, her control are highly effective. Her frequent scanning of her environment means she remains aware of where rivals are.

She uses few contacts on the ball, directing it away from defenders applying player-to-player pressure, before locating nearby team-mates oriented forward.

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

She can turn difficult passes into long periods of controlled play and these possessions in the attacking zone lead to goals, many of which she finishes personally.