Women's Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Russo

Age: 26 Playing Role: Forward Clubs: Arsenal and England

Alessia Russo created a legacy with her club as they became the pioneering British team to win 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 defence of their continental crown.

She scored in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and found her groove 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 top female player for the previous campaign.

Russo finished as the WSL's co-leading goalscorer, earning a share of 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 Professional Footballers' Association and the Uefa Champions League teams of the year.

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

"My top performances come when I'm having fun and I'm confident my efforts in practice and I'm getting my work done, so those are aspects that I can always control.

"There's so many different aspects 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 the club. There are top teammates to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the important matches come around, the more you do them, the more comfortable you become."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The entire competition was a complete rollercoaster. There were ups and downs. It tested us mentally. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I remember after the last-eight game, many players were extremely sore and injured. It was so intense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. The schedule is relentless.

"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 what it takes.

"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."

Discussing the European final:

"The overriding feeling that I can remember from that entire occasion 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 trusted the strategy and what we wanted to do.

"Obviously playing against a side such as Barça, you've got to be comfortable not having the ball because they're so talented. When in possession, they don't give it away frequently.

"As players in the press and defensively, we were highly concentrated on our job at hand. It was a lot of running and plenty of defending. But in the end that led to success. In my opinion you have to be content winning games like that as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I got the pleasure of watching her a few times with my dad. Watching her internationally, too, she was just incredible. I hope that her career lasted more and still be playing now, 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 experiencing that. But observing her play was something that I always used to love."

Alessia Russo scored 12 goals in twenty-one games in the Women's Super League last season to share the scoring award.

She was not just one of the most clinical players in the league but Russo was also a constant threat in the penalty area all season long, attempting more efforts (73) and recording a superior xG (nine point seven) than all her peers.

Her capability to aid the side beyond scoring sets her apart.

Fellow player a teammate often delivered forward balls into Russo, so strong hold-up play was necessary.

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

If a defender got in tight, she used her body well to draw fouls, assisting the side secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League last season, no player was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (fifteen).

When the play settles, Russo's touches 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 marking closely, before finding close colleagues oriented forward.

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

She can turn difficult passes into extended spells of controlled play and such phases in the opponent's final third lead to goals, several of these she finishes personally.