Female Footballer of the Year Candidate Russo

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

The talented forward created a legacy with her club as they became the first English team to win the prestigious European competition since the Gunners did in the 2000s, and also helped guide England to the defence of their European Championship title.

Russo found the net in the European Championship showpiece match and hit top form for her team, making significant contributions throughout the season in front of goal and with her work off the ball.

The forward was named the Football Writers' Association's top female player for last season.

Russo finished as the WSL's joint top scorer, sharing the top scorer award with her rival striker.

Russo netted twelve league goals for the club and provided assists for a couple more.

Her name was put forward for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and named in the PFA and the European season's best XIs.

Her thoughts on personal development over the past year:

"I play my best football when I'm having fun and I know I'm training hard and I'm getting my work done, so that's something that I can always control.

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, it's so detailed and there are so many fine margins. I'm always still learning. Our staff is excellent here at the club. There are top teammates to learn off as well. Then when the important matches come around, the greater your experience, 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 really, really battered and bruised. The pressure was immense. But recovery had to be swift. It moves so fast.

"In my view the way that we won throughout that whole tournament was just grit and resilience. And I think that we knew that we had the team, we knew that we had what it takes.

"You're playing against the top sides in the world, the best players in the world and sometimes you have to grind out results."

Discussing the European final:

"The overriding feeling 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 the ability, and we knew that we believed in the game plan and what we aimed to achieve.

"Obviously playing against a team like Barcelona, you've got to be comfortable not possessing the ball because they're so talented. When in possession, they retain it frequently.

"As players 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 ultimately 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 was fortunate of watching her a few times with my father. Watching her internationally, too, her talent was remarkable. I hope 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 agree and I never got the pleasure of doing that. But watching her was something that I always used to love."

Alessia Russo scored 12 goals in twenty-one games in the Women's Super League the previous campaign to divide 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 box all season long, taking more shots (73) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than any other player.

Her capability to aid the side outside of her goals distinguishes her.

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

Russo's ability to drop deep, creating space from her opposing defender through quick, incisive runs stood out.

If a defender got in tight, she 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 (15).

When the play settles, Russo's touches are extremely efficient. Her frequent scanning of her environment means she stays conscious of where rivals are.

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from defenders applying player-to-player pressure, before finding nearby team-mates positioned facing towards the goal.

By keeping possession in tough situations, Russo is often capable to act as an release option for her side in trouble.

She can turn difficult passes into long periods of controlled play and these possessions in the opponent's final third result in scores, many of which she ends up scoring herself.