Female Footballer of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

Years Old: 26 Playing Role: Striker Teams: Arsenal and England

Alessia Russo made history with her club as they emerged as the pioneering English team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in the 2000s, and also played a key role in leading England to the successful retention of their European Championship title.

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

Russo was named the Football Writers' Association's women's footballer of the year for the previous campaign.

Russo finished as the WSL's co-leading goalscorer, earning a share of the Golden Boot with Khadija Shaw.

She scored twelve league goals for the club and provided assists for a couple more.

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

Her thoughts on personal development over the previous season:

"I play my best football when I'm having fun and I know I'm training hard and completing my tasks, so those are aspects that I can always control.

"Numerous elements 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 the club. There are top teammates to gain knowledge from 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 entire competition was a complete rollercoaster. There were ups and downs. It was emotionally really hard. We were physically drained.

"I remember after the last-eight game, a lot of us were extremely sore and injured. The pressure was immense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. The schedule is relentless.

"I think the way that we won during the event was just determination and toughness. And we were aware that we had the squad, we knew that we had what it takes.

"Facing 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 main emotion that I can remember from that entire occasion was just being so calm, like we knew 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 must accept not having the ball because their skill is exceptional. When they do have the ball, they retain it that often.

"As players in the high press and defensively, 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. I think that you have to be OK securing victories in that manner as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I got the pleasure of seeing her play a couple of occasions with my father. Seeing her for England, 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 think 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."

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

She was not just one of the deadliest players in the league but Russo was also a constant threat in the box all season long, attempting more efforts (seventy-three) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than all her peers.

Her capability to aid the side outside of her goals sets her apart.

Fellow player a teammate often delivered forward balls into Russo, so effective ball retention was essential.

Russo's ability to drop deep, creating space from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements was notable.

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 European tournament the prior year, nobody was fouled more than the forward (15).

When the ball does stick, her control are extremely efficient. Her regular awareness of her surroundings means she remains aware of where rivals are.

She uses minimal touches on the ball, directing it away from defenders marking closely, before locating nearby team-mates oriented forward.

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

She is able convert tough balls into extended spells of stable possession and such phases in the opponent's final third result in scores, many of which she finishes personally.