Women's Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Russo

Years Old: 26 Position: Forward Teams: The Gunners and England

The talented forward created a legacy with Arsenal as they emerged as the pioneering British team to win the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in 2008, and also helped guide England to the defence of their continental crown.

She scored in the European Championship showpiece match and hit top form for her team, playing a crucial role all campaign long in front of goal and with her work off the ball.

Russo was honored as the Football Writers' Association's women's footballer of the year for last season.

She was the Women's Super League's joint top scorer, sharing the Golden Boot with Khadija Shaw.

Russo netted 12 WSL goals for the club and provided assists for a couple more.

Her name was put forward for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and selected in the PFA and the Uefa Champions League season's best XIs.

Her thoughts on personal development over the previous season:

"My top performances come when I'm having fun and I know my efforts in practice and I'm getting my work done, so those are aspects that are within my power.

"There's so many different aspects to a number nine position, it's so detailed and there are tiny differences. I'm always still learning. We have great coaches here at the club. I have great players 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 entire competition was a total emotional ride. It was highs and lows. It tested us mentally. We were physically drained.

"I remember after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, a lot of us were extremely sore and injured. It was so intense. But recovery had to be swift. The schedule is relentless.

"I think the way that we won throughout that whole tournament was just grit and resilience. And we were aware that we had the team, 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 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 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 aimed to achieve.

"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.

"We as athletes in the press and defensively, we were really focused on our assigned tasks. It was a lot of running and a lot of defensive work. But in the end that led to success. I think that you have to be content securing victories in that manner as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I got the pleasure of watching her a few times with my dad. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. I wish that her career lasted more and still be playing now, but she ranks among the greats.

"I think anyone that has played with Kelly would say the same thing and I didn't have the chance of experiencing that. But watching her was someone that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo scored 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 most clinical players in the competition but Russo was also a constant threat in the box all season long, taking more shots (73) and recording a superior xG (nine point seven) than all her peers.

Russo's ability to aid the side outside of her goals distinguishes her.

Team-mate Mariona Caldentey regularly played progressive passes into Russo, so effective ball retention was essential.

Her skill to retreat into midfield, freeing herself from her nearby marker through quick, incisive runs stood out.

If a defender got too close, she used her body well to draw fouls, assisting the side gain settled possession in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League last season, no player was drawn more fouls than the Arsenal striker (15).

When the ball does stick, her control are extremely efficient. Her frequent scanning of her environment means she stays conscious of where opponents are.

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

By keeping possession in tough situations, Russo is regularly able to act as an outlet for her team under pressure.

She is able convert tough balls into extended spells of stable possession and such phases in the opponent's final third result in scores, several of these she ends up scoring herself.