Women's Footballer of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

Years Old: 26 Position: Forward Teams: Arsenal and the English national team

Alessia Russo made history with her club as they emerged as the first English team to win the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in 2008, and also played a key role in leading England to the defence of their continental title.

She scored in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and found her groove for her club, making significant contributions all campaign long in front of goal and with her work off the ball.

Russo was named the FWA's top female player for the previous campaign.

She was the WSL's co-leading goalscorer, sharing the top scorer award with Khadija Shaw.

Russo netted twelve WSL goals for Arsenal and provided assists for a couple more.

Her name was put forward for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and named in the PFA and the Uefa Champions League season's best XIs.

Her thoughts on personal development over the previous season:

"My top performances come when I'm enjoying myself and I know my efforts in practice and I'm getting my work done, so that's something 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 Arsenal. There are top teammates to learn off as well. Then when the important matches arrive, the greater your experience, the more you get used to them."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The whole tournament was a complete rollercoaster. There were ups and downs. It was emotionally really hard. We were physically drained.

"I recall after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, a lot of us were really, really battered and bruised. It was so intense. 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 team, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"Facing the top sides in the world, the elite athletes in the world and sometimes you have to grind out results."

Discussing the European final:

"The main emotion that I can remember from that whole day was just being very composed, like we knew our preparation was complete, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we trusted the game plan and what we wanted to do.

"Naturally playing against a side such as Barça, you've got to be comfortable not having the ball because they're so talented. When in possession, they don't give it away that often.

"As players in the high press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. It was a lot of running and plenty of defending. But in the end that's what got the job done. I think that you have to be content securing victories in that manner as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

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

"I think those who teamed up with her would agree and I didn't have the chance of experiencing that. But watching her was someone that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo notched twelve goals in twenty-one games in the Women's Super League last season to share the Golden Boot.

She was not just one of the deadliest players in the competition but Russo was also a constant threat in the penalty area throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than all her peers.

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

Team-mate a teammate regularly played progressive passes into her, so effective ball retention was necessary.

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

If a defender got too close, she used her physicality to draw fouls, helping her team gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the European tournament the prior year, nobody was drawn more fouls than the forward (15).

When the play settles, 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 opposing players applying player-to-player pressure, before finding nearby team-mates positioned facing towards the goal.

By retaining the ball in difficult scenarios, Russo is often capable to act as an release option for her side in trouble.

She can convert tough balls into long periods of stable possession and these possessions in the opponent's final third result in scores, many of which she finishes personally.