Women's Footballer of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

Age: 26 Position: Striker Teams: The Gunners and England

Alessia Russo created a legacy with her club as they became the pioneering English team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in the 2000s, and also helped guide the Lionesses to the defence of their continental crown.

She scored in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and hit top form for her team, playing a crucial role all campaign long 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 WSL's joint top scorer, sharing the Golden Boot with Khadija Shaw.

Russo netted 12 WSL goals for the club and set up for a further two.

Her name was put forward for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and selected in the PFA and the Uefa Champions League teams of the year.

Her thoughts on personal development over the previous season:

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

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, it requires precision and there are tiny differences. I continue to develop. Our staff is excellent here at Arsenal. There are top teammates to gain knowledge from 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 complete rollercoaster. It was highs and lows. It tested us mentally. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I remember after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, many players were extremely sore and injured. The pressure was immense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. The schedule is relentless.

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

"Facing the best teams in the world, the elite athletes in the world and sometimes you have to win a little bit dirty."

On the Champions League final:

"The main emotion that stands out from that entire occasion was just being very composed, like we were confident 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 wanted to do.

"Obviously playing against a team like Barcelona, you've got to be comfortable not having the ball because their skill is exceptional. When in possession, they don't give it away that often.

"As players in the high press and out of possession, we were really focused on our job at hand. There was extensive movement and plenty of defending. 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 seeing her play a few times with my dad. Seeing her for England, too, her talent was remarkable. I wish that she could have played longer and she was active today, but she was one of the best ever.

"I believe anyone that has played with Kelly would say the same thing and I never got the pleasure of doing that. But watching her was something that I greatly admired."

The striker notched 12 goals in 21 games in the Women's Super League last season to divide the scoring award.

She was not just one of the deadliest players in the league but she was also a persistent danger in the box throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (seventy-three) and having a higher expected goals tally (nine point seven) than any other player.

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

Team-mate a teammate regularly played progressive passes into her, so strong hold-up play was essential.

Russo's ability to retreat into midfield, creating space from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements stood out.

If a marker got too close, Russo used her physicality 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 forward (15).

When the play settles, her control are highly effective. Her frequent scanning of her environment means she remains aware of where opponents are.

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

By retaining the ball in tough situations, she is regularly able to act as an outlet for her team under pressure.

She is able turn difficult passes into long periods of controlled play and such phases in the attacking zone lead to goals, several of these she ends up scoring herself.