Women's Soccer Player of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

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

The talented forward created a legacy with Arsenal as they became the first English team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the Gunners did in the 2000s, and also helped guide the Lionesses to the successful retention of their continental title.

She scored in the Euro 2025 final and hit top form for her team, making significant contributions throughout the season 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 her rival striker.

She scored twelve WSL goals for Arsenal and set up 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.

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 I'm getting my work done, so that's something that are within my power.

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, it requires precision and there are so many fine margins. I continue to develop. We have great coaches here at Arsenal. I have great players to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the important matches come around, the greater your experience, the more you get used to them."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The entire competition was a complete rollercoaster. There were ups and downs. It was emotionally really hard. We were physically drained.

"I recall after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, many players were really, really battered and bruised. It was so intense. 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 grit and resilience. 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 best players in the world and sometimes you have to win a little bit dirty."

Discussing the European final:

"The overriding feeling that I can remember from that whole day was just being so calm, 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 must accept not having the ball because their skill is exceptional. When they do have the ball, they don't give it away that often.

"As players 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 led to success. 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 couple of occasions with my father. Watching her internationally, too, her talent was remarkable. I hope that she could have played longer 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 didn't have the chance of experiencing that. But observing her play was someone that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo notched 12 goals in twenty-one games in the Women's Super League the previous campaign to share the Golden Boot.

She was not just one of the most clinical players in the competition but Russo was also a persistent danger in the penalty area all season long, taking more shots (73) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than all her peers.

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

Team-mate Mariona Caldentey often delivered progressive passes into Russo, so strong hold-up play was necessary.

Russo's ability to drop deep, freeing herself from her nearby marker through quick, incisive runs stood out.

If a marker got too close, Russo used her body well to draw fouls, helping her team secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the European tournament the prior year, no player was fouled more than the forward (15).

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

She uses few contacts on the ball, moving it clear from defenders applying player-to-player pressure, before locating close colleagues oriented forward.

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

She can convert tough balls into extended spells of stable possession and such phases in the attacking zone lead to goals, many of which she finishes personally.