Women's Footballer of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

Age: 26 Position: Forward Teams: Arsenal and England

The talented forward made history with Arsenal as they became the first English team to win the prestigious European competition since the Gunners did in 2008, and also helped guide the Lionesses to the defence of their European Championship 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.

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

She was the WSL's joint top scorer, earning a share of the Golden Boot with Khadija Shaw.

She scored 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 Professional Footballers' Association and the European 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 are within my power.

"Numerous elements 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 the club. I have great players to learn off as well. Then when the big games come around, the more you do them, the more you get used to them."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The entire competition was a total emotional ride. There were ups and downs. It was emotionally really hard. We were physically drained.

"I remember after the last-eight game, many players were really, really battered and bruised. The pressure was immense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. The schedule is relentless.

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

"Facing the top sides in the world, the best players in the world and sometimes 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 believed in the game plan and what we aimed to achieve.

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

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

"I think those who teamed up with her would say the same thing and I didn't have the chance of doing that. But watching her was something that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo notched 12 goals in 21 games in the Women's Super League the previous campaign to divide the Golden Boot.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the league but she was also a persistent danger in the penalty area all season long, attempting more efforts (73) and recording a superior xG (nine point seven) than all her peers.

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

Fellow player Mariona Caldentey regularly played forward balls into Russo, so effective ball retention was necessary.

Russo's ability to drop deep, freeing herself from her opposing defender through quick, incisive runs stood out.

If a marker got too close, she used her physicality to win free-kicks, assisting the side secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the European tournament last season, no player was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (15).

When the play settles, her control are highly effective. Her regular awareness of her environment means she remains aware of where rivals are.

She uses minimal touches on the ball, directing it away from defenders marking closely, before locating close colleagues positioned facing towards the goal.

By keeping possession in tough situations, she is regularly able to act as an release option for her team under pressure.

She can convert tough balls into extended spells of controlled play and such phases in the opponent's final third lead to goals, many of which she ends up scoring herself.