Women's Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

Years Old: 26 Playing Role: Striker Teams: The Gunners and England

The talented forward created a legacy with Arsenal as they emerged as the pioneering British team to win the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in 2008, and also helped guide England to the defence of their European Championship title.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and hit top form for her club, playing a crucial role throughout the season as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

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

Russo finished as the Women's Super League's joint top scorer, sharing the Golden Boot with Khadija Shaw.

Russo netted 12 league goals for Arsenal and provided assists for a couple more.

She was also nominated for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and selected in the PFA and the Uefa Champions League season's best XIs.

Russo on how she feels she has improved over the past year:

"My top performances come when I'm enjoying myself and I know I'm training hard and completing my tasks, so those are aspects that are within my power.

"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. Our staff is excellent here at Arsenal. There are top teammates to learn off as well. Then when the important matches 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 recall after the last-eight game, a lot of us were really, really battered and bruised. It was so intense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. It moves so fast.

"I think 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.

"Facing the top sides in the world, the best players in the world and occasionally you have to win a little bit dirty."

Discussing the European final:

"The main emotion that I can remember from that entire occasion was just being so calm, like we knew our preparation was complete, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we believed in the strategy and what we wanted to do.

"Naturally playing against a team like Barcelona, you've got to be comfortable not possessing the ball because their skill is exceptional. When they do have the ball, they don't give it away frequently.

"We as athletes in the high press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement and a lot of defensive work. But ultimately that's what got the job done. I think that you have to be OK 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 father. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. I wish that her career lasted more and she was active today, but she ranks among the greats.

"I believe 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."

The striker notched twelve goals in twenty-one games in the WSL the previous campaign to share the Golden Boot.

She was not just one of the most clinical players in the league but she was also a constant threat in the penalty area all season long, attempting more efforts (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than any other player.

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

Fellow player a teammate regularly played forward balls into Russo, so strong hold-up play was essential.

Her skill to retreat into midfield, creating space from her opposing defender through quick, incisive runs was notable.

If a defender got in tight, Russo used her body well to draw fouls, assisting the side secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the Champions' League last season, no player was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (fifteen).

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

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from defenders marking closely, 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 team under pressure.

She can convert tough balls into long periods of controlled play and such phases in the attacking zone lead to goals, many of which she finishes personally.