Female Footballer of the Year Candidate Russo

Age: 26 Position: Forward Clubs: Arsenal and England

Alessia Russo made history with her club as they emerged as the pioneering British team to win the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in 2008, and also helped guide the Lionesses to the successful retention of their continental title.

She scored in the Euro 2025 final and found her groove for her team, playing a crucial role all campaign long in front of goal and with her work off the ball.

Russo was named the FWA's top female player for the previous campaign.

She was the Women's Super League's co-leading goalscorer, sharing the top scorer award with her rival striker.

She scored 12 league goals for the club and set up for a further two.

She was also nominated for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and selected in the Professional Footballers' Association and the Uefa Champions League teams of the year.

Her thoughts on personal development over the previous season:

"I play my best football when I'm enjoying myself and I'm confident I'm training hard and completing my tasks, so those are aspects that are within my power.

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, it's so detailed and there are tiny differences. I continue to develop. Our staff is excellent here at the club. There are top teammates to learn off as well. Then when the big games arrive, the more you do them, the more you get used to them."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The whole tournament was a total emotional ride. It was highs and lows. It tested us mentally. We were physically drained.

"I remember after the last-eight game, a lot of us were extremely sore and injured. It was so intense. But recovery had to be swift. It moves so fast.

"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 squad, 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 stands out from that entire occasion was just being so calm, like we knew we'd done the work, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we believed in the game plan and what we wanted to do.

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

"As players in the high press and defensively, 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. I think that you have to be OK winning games like that as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I got the pleasure of watching her a couple of occasions with my dad. Seeing her for England, 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 anyone that has played with Kelly would agree and I never got the pleasure of doing that. But observing her play was something that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo notched 12 goals in 21 games in the Women's Super League last season to share the Golden Boot.

She was not just one of the most clinical players in the competition but Russo was also a constant threat in the box throughout the campaign, taking more shots (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (nine point seven) than all her peers.

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

Fellow player a teammate often delivered forward balls into Russo, so effective ball retention was necessary.

Her skill to retreat into midfield, freeing herself from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements stood out.

If a marker got in tight, she used her body well to draw fouls, helping her team secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the Champions' League the prior year, no player was drawn more fouls than the forward (15).

When the play settles, her control are extremely efficient. Her regular awareness of her environment means she remains aware of where opponents are.

She uses minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from opposing players marking closely, before locating nearby team-mates oriented forward.

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

She can turn difficult passes into extended spells of controlled play and such phases in the opponent's final third lead to goals, many of which she ends up scoring herself.