Women's Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

Age: 26 Playing Role: Forward Teams: The Gunners and England

The talented forward created a legacy with her club as they emerged as the pioneering English team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the North London side did in the 2000s, and also helped guide England to the successful retention of their continental title.

Russo found the net in the European Championship final and hit top form for her club, making significant contributions all campaign long as an attacker and with her work off the ball.

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

She was the WSL's joint top scorer, earning a share of the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

Russo netted 12 WSL goals for Arsenal and set up for a couple more.

She was also nominated for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and named in the PFA 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 enjoying myself and I know 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 striker's role, it's so detailed and there are tiny differences. I'm always still learning. Our staff is excellent here at Arsenal. I have great players to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the big games come around, the more you do them, the more you get used to them."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The whole tournament was a complete rollercoaster. It was highs and lows. It was emotionally really hard. We were physically drained.

"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. The schedule is relentless.

"In my view 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.

"You're playing against the best teams in the world, the best players in the world and occasionally you have to grind out results."

On the Champions League final:

"The main emotion that stands out from that entire occasion was just being so calm, like we knew our preparation was complete, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we trusted the game plan and what we wanted to do.

"Obviously playing against a side such as Barça, you've got to be comfortable not possessing the ball because they're so talented. When in possession, they retain it frequently.

"As players in the high press and defensively, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement and a lot of defensive work. 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 watching her a few times with my dad. Watching her internationally, too, she was just incredible. I wish that she could have played longer and still be playing now, but she was one of the best ever.

"I think those who teamed up with her would agree and I never got the pleasure of doing that. But watching her was something 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 competition but Russo was also a constant threat in the penalty area throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (73) and recording a superior xG (nine point seven) than any other player.

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

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

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

If a defender got too close, she used her body well to draw fouls, assisting the side gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the Champions' League last season, no player was fouled more than the forward (fifteen).

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

Russo takes few contacts on the ball, directing it away from opposing players marking closely, before locating close colleagues oriented forward.

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

She is able turn difficult passes into extended spells of controlled play and such phases in the opponent's final third result in scores, several of these she ends up scoring herself.