Women's Soccer Player of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

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

Alessia Russo made history with her club as they emerged as the pioneering British team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the North London side 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 team, making significant contributions throughout the season as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

Russo was honored as the Football Writers' Association's women's footballer of the year for last season.

Russo finished as the Women's Super League's co-leading goalscorer, sharing the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

Russo netted 12 league goals for Arsenal and provided assists for a further two.

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 previous season:

"My top performances come when I'm having fun and I know I'm training hard and completing my tasks, so that's something that I can always control.

"There's so many different aspects to a number nine position, it requires precision and there are tiny differences. I'm always still learning. We have great coaches here at Arsenal. I have great players to learn off as well. Then when the important matches come around, the more you do them, the more comfortable you become."

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 Sweden [quarter-final] 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 during the event was just grit and resilience. And I think that we knew that we had the team, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"You're playing against the top sides in the world, the elite athletes in the world and occasionally you have to grind out results."

Discussing the European final:

"The overriding feeling 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 trusted the game plan and what we aimed to achieve.

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

"We as athletes in the high press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our job at hand. It was a lot of running and plenty of defending. But in the end that led to success. In my opinion you have to be content winning games like that as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I was fortunate of watching her a couple of occasions with my father. Watching her internationally, too, she was just incredible. I hope that her career lasted more and still be playing now, but she ranks among the greats.

"I believe 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 someone that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo notched twelve goals in twenty-one games in the Women's Super League the previous campaign to divide the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the most clinical players in the competition but she was also a constant threat in the box all season long, attempting more efforts (seventy-three) and having a higher expected goals tally (nine point seven) than any other player.

Russo's ability to contribute to the team beyond scoring sets her apart.

Fellow player a teammate often delivered forward balls into Russo, so effective ball retention was essential.

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

If a defender got in tight, Russo used her physicality to draw fouls, helping her team secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League last season, no player was fouled more than the forward (fifteen).

When the ball does stick, her control are extremely efficient. Her regular awareness of her environment means she stays conscious of where opponents are.

She uses few contacts on the ball, moving it clear from defenders marking closely, before locating close colleagues oriented forward.

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

She can convert tough balls into long periods of stable possession and these possessions in the attacking zone lead to goals, many of which she ends up scoring herself.