Female Soccer Player of the Year Contender Russo

Years Old: 26 Position: Forward Clubs: Arsenal and the English national team

Alessia Russo created a legacy with her club 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 helped guide the Lionesses to the defence of their continental crown.

She scored in the European Championship final and hit top form for her team, playing a crucial role all campaign long as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

The forward was named the FWA'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 12 league goals for Arsenal and provided assists for a couple more.

She was also nominated for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and named in the Professional Footballers' Association and the European season's best XIs.

Russo on how she feels she has improved over the past year:

"My top performances come when I'm enjoying myself and I'm confident I'm training hard and completing my tasks, so that's something that are within my power.

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, 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 big games come around, the greater your experience, the more comfortable you become."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The whole tournament was a complete rollercoaster. 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 really, really battered and bruised. The pressure was immense. But recovery had to be swift. It moves so fast.

"I think the way that we won during the event was just determination and toughness. And we were aware that we had the team, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"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 main emotion 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 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 they're so talented. When they do have the ball, they retain it that often.

"We as athletes in the press and out of possession, we were really focused on our job at hand. It was a lot of running and a lot of defensive work. But ultimately that's what got the job done. I think that you have to be content securing victories in that manner as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

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

"I believe those who teamed up with her would agree and I never got the pleasure of doing that. But watching her was someone that I greatly admired."

The striker notched twelve goals in twenty-one games in the Women's Super League the previous campaign to divide the Golden Boot.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the competition but Russo was also a persistent danger in the penalty area all season long, attempting more efforts (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (nine point seven) than any other player.

Her capability to contribute to the team outside of her goals sets her apart.

Fellow player a teammate regularly played forward balls into her, so effective ball retention was necessary.

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

If a marker got too close, Russo used her physicality to win free-kicks, helping her team secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the Champions' League the prior year, nobody was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (fifteen).

When the play settles, Russo's touches are highly effective. Her frequent scanning of her environment means she stays conscious of where opponents are.

She uses minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from opposing players marking closely, before locating close colleagues positioned facing towards the goal.

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

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