Women's Footballer of the Year Contender Russo

Years Old: 26 Playing Role: Forward Teams: The Gunners and England

Alessia Russo made history with Arsenal as they emerged as the pioneering English team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in 2008, and also helped guide the Lionesses to the defence of their continental title.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and hit top form for her club, playing a crucial role throughout the season as an attacker and with her work off the ball.

Russo was named the FWA's women's footballer of the year for last season.

Russo finished as the Women's Super League's joint top scorer, sharing the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

Russo netted twelve WSL goals for the club and provided assists for a further two.

She was also nominated for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and named in the PFA and the European teams of the year.

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

"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 are within my power.

"There's so many different aspects to a number nine position, it requires precision and there are so many fine margins. I'm always still learning. We have great coaches here at Arsenal. I have great players to learn off as well. Then when the big games come around, the more you do them, the more you get used to them."

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 really, really battered and bruised. It was so intense. But recovery had to be swift. It moves so fast.

"I think the way that we won throughout that whole tournament was just determination and toughness. And I think that we knew that we had the team, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"You're playing against the top sides in the world, the elite athletes in the world and occasionally you have to win a little bit dirty."

On the Champions League final:

"The overriding feeling that stands out from that entire occasion was just being so calm, 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 aimed to achieve.

"Obviously playing against a team like Barcelona, you must accept not having the ball because their skill is exceptional. When they do have the ball, they don't give it away frequently.

"We as athletes in the high press and defensively, we were really focused on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement and a lot of defensive work. But ultimately that led to success. In my opinion you have to be OK securing victories in that manner as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I was fortunate of watching her a few times with my dad. Seeing her for England, too, her talent was remarkable. I hope that her career lasted more and she was active today, but she ranks among the greats.

"I think anyone that has played with Kelly would say the same thing and I never got the pleasure of experiencing that. But observing her play was something that I always used to love."

The striker notched 12 goals in twenty-one games in the WSL the previous campaign to divide the Golden Boot.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the league but Russo was also a persistent danger in the box all season long, taking more shots (73) and recording a superior xG (nine point seven) than all her peers.

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

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

Russo's ability to retreat into midfield, creating space from her nearby marker through quick, incisive runs stood out.

If a marker got in tight, she used her physicality to win free-kicks, assisting the side gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the Champions' League last season, no player was drawn more fouls than the Arsenal striker (15).

When the play settles, her control are extremely efficient. Her regular awareness of her environment means she remains aware of where opponents are.

Russo takes few contacts on the ball, directing it away from defenders marking closely, before locating nearby team-mates oriented forward.

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

She is able convert tough balls into long periods of controlled play and these possessions in the attacking zone lead to goals, many of which she ends up scoring herself.