Female Soccer Player of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

Age: 26 Position: Forward Teams: Arsenal and the English national team

The talented forward created a legacy with Arsenal as they became the first British team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in 2008, and also helped guide England to the defence of their continental crown.

She scored in the Euro 2025 final and hit top form for her club, making significant contributions throughout the season in front of goal and with her defensive efforts.

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

Russo finished as the WSL's co-leading goalscorer, sharing the Golden Boot with Khadija Shaw.

She scored 12 league goals for the club and set up for a further two.

Her name was put forward for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and named in the Professional Footballers' Association and the European teams of the year.

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

"I play my best football when I'm enjoying myself and I know my efforts in practice and I'm getting my work done, so that's something 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 Arsenal. I have great players to learn off as well. Then when the big games arrive, the more you do them, the more you get used to them."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The whole tournament was a complete rollercoaster. It was highs and lows. It tested us mentally. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I recall 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 during the event was just grit and resilience. And we were aware that we had the team, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"Facing the best teams 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 main emotion that I can remember from that entire occasion 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 trusted the game plan and what we aimed to achieve.

"Obviously playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not possessing the ball because they're so talented. When they do have the ball, they retain it frequently.

"We as athletes in the high press and defensively, we were highly concentrated on our job at hand. 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 winning games like that as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I was fortunate of seeing her play a few times with my father. Watching her internationally, too, her talent was remarkable. I wish that her career lasted more and still be playing now, but she was one of the best ever.

"I believe anyone that has played with Kelly would agree and I didn't have the chance of doing that. But observing her play was something that I always used to love."

Alessia Russo notched 12 goals in 21 games in the WSL last season to share the Golden Boot.

Not only was she one of the most clinical players in the league but she was also a constant threat in the penalty area throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (seventy-three) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than any other player.

Russo's ability to contribute to the team beyond scoring distinguishes her.

Fellow player Mariona Caldentey regularly played forward balls into her, so effective ball retention was essential.

Russo's ability to drop deep, freeing herself from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements stood out.

If a marker got too close, she used her body well to draw fouls, assisting the side secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the Champions' League the prior year, nobody was drawn more fouls than the forward (15).

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

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from opposing players marking closely, before locating nearby team-mates oriented forward.

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

She can convert tough balls into long periods of controlled play and such phases in the attacking zone lead to goals, many of which she ends up scoring herself.