Women's Soccer Player of the Year Contender Russo

Age: 26 Playing Role: Forward Clubs: Arsenal and the English national team

Alessia Russo made history with Arsenal as they emerged as the first British team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the North London side did in 2008, and also played a key role in leading the Lionesses to the successful retention of their continental title.

She scored in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and hit top form for her club, playing a crucial role all campaign long as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

Russo was honored as the Football Writers' Association's top female player for last season.

Russo finished as the WSL's co-leading goalscorer, earning a share of the top scorer award with her rival striker.

Russo netted 12 league goals for Arsenal and set up for a further two.

She was also nominated for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and named in the Professional Footballers' Association and the European teams of the year.

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

"I play my best football when I'm enjoying myself and I know my efforts in practice and completing my tasks, so that's something that are within my power.

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, it requires precision and there are so many fine margins. I continue to develop. We have great coaches 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 comfortable you become."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

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

"I recall after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, a lot of us 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 determination and toughness. And we were aware that we had the squad, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

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

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 what it takes, and we knew that we believed in the strategy and what we aimed to achieve.

"Obviously playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not having the ball because they're so talented. When they do have the ball, they retain it frequently.

"We as athletes in the press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our job at hand. There was extensive movement and plenty of defending. But ultimately that led to success. I think that you have to be content winning games like that as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I got the pleasure of seeing her play a couple of occasions with my dad. Watching her internationally, too, her talent was remarkable. I wish 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 agree and I never got the pleasure of experiencing that. But watching her was someone that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo notched twelve goals in twenty-one games in the WSL last season to divide the Golden Boot.

Not only was she one of the most clinical players in the league but she was also a constant threat in the penalty area throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than all her peers.

Her capability to contribute to the team outside of her goals distinguishes her.

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

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

If a marker got too close, she used her physicality to draw fouls, assisting the side gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the European tournament last season, nobody was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (15).

When the play settles, her control are highly effective. Her frequent scanning of her environment means she stays conscious of where rivals are.

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, directing it away from opposing players applying player-to-player pressure, before locating nearby team-mates oriented forward.

By retaining the ball in tough situations, she is often capable to act as an outlet for her side in trouble.

She can convert tough balls into long periods of controlled play and such phases in the opponent's final third result in scores, several of these she ends up scoring herself.