Women's Footballer of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

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

Alessia Russo made history with her club as they emerged as the first British team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the North London side did in the 2000s, and also played a key role in leading the Lionesses to the successful retention of their European Championship crown.

She scored in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and found her groove for her club, playing a crucial role throughout the season in front of goal and with her work off the ball.

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

She was the Women's Super League's joint top scorer, sharing the top scorer award with Khadija Shaw.

Russo netted 12 league goals for Arsenal and provided assists for a further two.

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

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

"I play my best football when I'm enjoying myself and I'm confident my efforts in practice and completing my tasks, so that's something that are within my power.

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, it requires precision and there are tiny differences. I continue to develop. Our staff is excellent here at the club. There are top teammates to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the important matches come around, the greater your experience, the more comfortable you become."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

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

"I remember after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, many players 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 determination and toughness. And I think that we knew that we had the squad, 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."

Discussing the European final:

"The main emotion 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 what it takes, and we knew that we trusted the game plan and what we aimed to achieve.

"Naturally playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not having the ball because their skill is exceptional. When in possession, they don't give it away frequently.

"As players in the high 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's what got the job done. In my opinion you have to be content securing victories in that manner as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I got the pleasure of watching her a few times with my father. Watching her internationally, too, she was just incredible. 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 always used to love."

The striker scored twelve goals in twenty-one games in the Women's Super League last season to share the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the most clinical players in the league but Russo was also a persistent danger in the penalty area all season long, taking more shots (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (nine point seven) than all her peers.

Her capability to aid the side beyond scoring distinguishes her.

Team-mate Mariona Caldentey regularly played forward balls into her, so strong hold-up play was necessary.

Her skill to drop deep, creating space from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements was notable.

If a defender got in tight, Russo used her body well to draw fouls, helping her team secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the Champions' League the prior year, no player was drawn more fouls than the forward (15).

When the ball does stick, Russo's touches are highly effective. Her frequent scanning of her environment means she remains aware of where opponents are.

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, directing it away from opposing players marking closely, before finding close colleagues positioned facing towards the goal.

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

She can turn difficult passes into long periods of stable possession and such phases in the opponent's final third result in scores, many of which she finishes personally.