Female Soccer Player of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

Years Old: 26 Playing Role: Striker Teams: The Gunners and the English national team

The talented forward created a legacy with her club as they became the pioneering 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 crown.

Russo found the net in the European Championship final and found her groove for her club, playing a crucial role throughout the season in front of goal 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 top scorer award with her rival striker.

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

Her name was put forward for the prestigious individual award and named in the Professional Footballers' Association and the Uefa Champions League season's best XIs.

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

"I play my best football when I'm having fun and I know I'm training hard and completing my tasks, so that's something that are within my power.

"There's so many different aspects to a number nine position, it requires precision and there are tiny differences. I continue to develop. Our staff is excellent here at Arsenal. There are top teammates to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the important matches come around, the more you do them, the more comfortable you become."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The whole tournament was a total emotional ride. It was highs and lows. It tested us mentally. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I remember after the Sweden [quarter-final] 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 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 the necessary qualities.

"Facing the best teams 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 whole day was just being very composed, 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 wanted to do.

"Naturally playing against a side such as Barça, 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 that often.

"We as athletes in the high press and defensively, we were really focused on our assigned tasks. It was a lot of running and a lot of defensive work. But ultimately that's what got the job done. In my opinion you have to be OK winning games like that as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I was fortunate of watching her a couple of occasions with my dad. Seeing her for England, too, her talent was remarkable. I hope that she could have played longer and she was active today, but she ranks among the greats.

"I think anyone that has played with Kelly would say the same thing and I never got the pleasure of doing that. But watching her was something that I always used to love."

Alessia Russo notched 12 goals in twenty-one games in the WSL last season to share 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 (seventy-three) and recording a superior xG (nine point seven) than any other player.

Her capability to aid the side outside of her goals distinguishes her.

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

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

If a defender got in tight, Russo used her physicality to win free-kicks, assisting the side secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the European tournament the prior year, no player was fouled more than the forward (fifteen).

When the ball does stick, Russo's touches are highly effective. Her frequent scanning of her environment means she remains aware of where rivals are.

She uses minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from opposing players applying player-to-player pressure, before finding nearby team-mates oriented forward.

By retaining the ball in difficult scenarios, Russo 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, many of which she finishes personally.