Women's Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

Years Old: 26 Position: Forward Teams: Arsenal and England

Alessia Russo created a legacy with her club as they emerged as the first English team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in the 2000s, and also played a key role in leading the Lionesses to the successful retention of their continental title.

Russo found the net in the European Championship final and hit top form for her team, making significant contributions all campaign long in front of goal and with her defensive efforts.

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

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

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

Her name was put forward for the prestigious individual award and selected in the PFA and the Uefa Champions League season's best XIs.

Her thoughts on personal development over the past year:

"I play my best football when I'm enjoying myself and I'm confident my efforts in practice and I'm getting my work done, so that's something that I can always control.

"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 gain knowledge from as well. Then when the important matches arrive, 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 recall after the last-eight game, a lot of us were really, really battered and bruised. It was so intense. But recovery had to be swift. The schedule is relentless.

"I think the way that we won during the event was just determination and toughness. And I think that we knew that we had the squad, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"Facing the best teams in the world, the elite athletes in the world and occasionally you have to grind out results."

Discussing the European final:

"The main emotion that I can remember from that whole day 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 believed in 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 their skill is exceptional. When they do have the ball, they don't give it away that often.

"As players in the press and defensively, we were really focused on our job at hand. There was extensive movement and plenty of defending. 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 got the pleasure of seeing her play a few times with my father. Watching her internationally, too, her talent was remarkable. I hope 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 say the same thing and I never got the pleasure of experiencing that. But watching her was someone that I always used to love."

The striker scored 12 goals in twenty-one games in the WSL last season to divide 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, taking more shots (seventy-three) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than all her peers.

Russo's ability to contribute to the team outside of her goals distinguishes her.

Team-mate a teammate regularly played progressive passes into her, so strong hold-up play was essential.

Russo's ability to retreat into midfield, freeing herself from her opposing defender through quick, incisive runs stood out.

If a defender got too close, Russo used her physicality to draw fouls, helping her team secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League the prior year, no player was drawn more fouls than the forward (fifteen).

When the play settles, her control are extremely efficient. Her regular awareness of her environment means she stays conscious of where rivals are.

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from opposing players marking closely, before finding close colleagues oriented forward.

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

She is able convert tough balls into extended spells of controlled play and these possessions in the attacking zone lead to goals, several of these she finishes personally.