Women's Soccer Player of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

Age: 26 Position: Striker Clubs: The Gunners and England

The talented forward made history with Arsenal as they became the pioneering 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 the Lionesses to the successful retention of their European Championship crown.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and hit top form for her team, playing a crucial role 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 the previous campaign.

She was the Women's Super League's co-leading goalscorer, sharing the top scorer award with her rival striker.

She scored 12 league goals for Arsenal and set up for a couple more.

She was also nominated for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and selected in the Professional Footballers' Association and the European teams of the year.

Her thoughts on personal development over the previous season:

"My top performances come when I'm having fun and I know 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 so many fine margins. I continue to develop. We have great coaches here at Arsenal. I have great players to learn off 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 total emotional ride. It was highs and lows. It was emotionally really hard. We were physically drained.

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

"In my view the way that we won throughout that whole tournament was just grit and resilience. And I think that we knew that we had the team, we knew that we had what it takes.

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

On the Champions League final:

"The overriding feeling that I can remember from that entire occasion was just being so calm, like we were confident our preparation was complete, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we believed in the game plan and what we aimed to achieve.

"Naturally playing against a team like Barcelona, you must accept not possessing the ball because their skill is exceptional. When they do have the ball, they retain it that often.

"As players in the press and defensively, we were really focused on our job at hand. It was a lot of running and a lot of defensive work. But ultimately that's what got the job done. 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 couple of occasions with my dad. Watching her internationally, too, her talent was remarkable. I wish that she could have played longer and she was active today, but she was one of the best ever.

"I think anyone that has played with Kelly would agree and I never got the pleasure of doing that. But watching her was someone that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo scored twelve goals in 21 games in the WSL last season to share the scoring award.

She was not just one of the most clinical players in the league but Russo was also a persistent danger in the penalty area all season long, attempting more efforts (73) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than all her peers.

Her capability to contribute to the team beyond scoring distinguishes her.

Fellow player a teammate regularly played progressive passes into her, so strong hold-up play was necessary.

Russo's ability to retreat into midfield, creating space from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements was notable.

If a marker got in tight, she used her body well to win free-kicks, assisting the side secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League the prior year, nobody was drawn more fouls than the forward (15).

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

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from opposing players marking closely, before locating nearby team-mates oriented forward.

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

She can turn difficult passes into long periods of stable possession and these possessions in the opponent's final third result in scores, several of these she ends up scoring herself.