Female Footballer of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

Years Old: 26 Playing Role: Forward Teams: The Gunners and the English national team

Alessia Russo created a legacy with Arsenal as they emerged as the first English team to win the prestigious European competition 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 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.

The forward was named the FWA's women's footballer of the year for the previous campaign.

She was the WSL's co-leading goalscorer, sharing the Golden Boot with Khadija Shaw.

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

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

Russo on how she feels she has improved over the previous season:

"My top performances come when I'm having fun and I know my efforts in practice and completing my tasks, so those are aspects that I can always control.

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, it's so detailed 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."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The entire competition 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, a lot of us were really, really battered and bruised. The pressure was immense. But recovery had to be swift. The schedule is relentless.

"In my view 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 what it takes.

"Facing the best teams in the world, the best players in the world and sometimes you have to grind out results."

On the Champions League final:

"The overriding feeling that I can remember from that whole day was just being very composed, like we knew 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.

"Obviously playing against a team like Barcelona, you must accept not possessing the ball because they're so talented. When they do have the ball, they retain it frequently.

"We as athletes in the high press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated 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 OK securing victories in that manner as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I was fortunate of watching her a few times with my father. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. I hope that she could have played longer and she was active today, but she was one of the best ever.

"I believe anyone that has played with Kelly would agree and I didn't have the chance of doing that. But watching her was someone that I greatly admired."

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

She was not just one of the deadliest players in the competition but Russo was also a constant threat in the box all season long, taking more shots (seventy-three) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than any other player.

Russo's ability to contribute to the team 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, freeing herself from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements stood out.

If a defender got too close, she used her physicality to draw fouls, assisting the side secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the European tournament the prior year, no player was drawn more fouls than the Arsenal striker (15).

When the ball does stick, Russo's touches are extremely efficient. Her frequent scanning of her environment means she stays conscious of where rivals are.

She uses few contacts on the ball, directing it away from opposing players marking closely, before locating nearby team-mates oriented forward.

By retaining the ball in tough situations, she is often capable to act as an release option for her team under pressure.

She is able convert tough balls into long periods of controlled play and such phases in the opponent's final third result in scores, many of which she finishes personally.