Women's Soccer Player of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

Years Old: 26 Playing Role: Forward Teams: The Gunners and the English national team

The talented forward made history with her club as they emerged as the first English team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the Gunners did in the 2000s, and also played a key role in leading England to the defence of their European Championship title.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and hit top form for her club, playing a crucial role all campaign long in front of goal and with her defensive efforts.

Russo was honored as the FWA's top female player for last season.

Russo finished as the Women's Super League's co-leading goalscorer, earning a share of the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

Russo netted twelve league goals for the club and provided assists for a couple more.

She was also nominated for the prestigious individual award and named in the Professional Footballers' Association and the Uefa Champions League teams of the year.

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

"My top performances come when I'm enjoying myself and I'm confident my efforts in practice and completing my tasks, so that's something that I can always control.

"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. Our staff is excellent here at the club. I have great players 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 whole tournament was a total emotional ride. There were ups and downs. It tested us mentally. We were physically drained.

"I recall after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, a lot of us were extremely sore and injured. The pressure was immense. But recovery had to be swift. It moves so fast.

"I think the way that we won throughout that whole tournament 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 elite athletes in the world and sometimes you have to grind out results."

On the Champions League final:

"The main emotion that I can remember from that entire occasion was just being very composed, like we were confident our preparation was complete, we knew that we had what it takes, 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 possessing the ball because they're so talented. When in possession, they retain it frequently.

"We as athletes in the high press and out of possession, we were really focused on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement and plenty of defending. But in the end that's what got the job done. In my opinion you have to be OK winning games like that as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I got the pleasure of seeing her play a few times with my father. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. I wish that her career lasted more and she was active today, but she was one of the best ever.

"I believe those who teamed up with her would say the same thing and I never got the pleasure of doing that. But watching her was someone that I greatly admired."

The striker notched twelve goals in 21 games in the WSL last season to share the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the most clinical players in the league but she was also a persistent danger in the box throughout the campaign, taking more shots (73) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than all her peers.

Her capability to contribute to the team beyond scoring sets her apart.

Fellow player a teammate regularly played forward balls into Russo, so strong hold-up play was essential.

Russo's ability to drop deep, creating space from her nearby marker through quick, incisive runs stood out.

If a defender got in tight, she used her body well to win free-kicks, helping her team secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League last season, no player was fouled more than the forward (15).

When the play settles, Russo's touches are extremely efficient. Her frequent scanning of her surroundings means she stays conscious of where rivals are.

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

By retaining the ball in tough situations, she is often capable to act as an outlet for her side in trouble.

She is able turn difficult passes into long periods of controlled play and such phases in the opponent's final third lead to goals, many of which she ends up scoring herself.