Women's Footballer of the Year Contender Russo

Years Old: 26 Position: Striker Clubs: The Gunners and England

The talented forward made history with her club as they became the first English team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in 2008, and also helped guide England to the successful retention of their continental crown.

She scored in the Euro 2025 final and found her groove for her club, making significant contributions all campaign long in front of goal and with her defensive efforts.

The forward was named the FWA's women's footballer of the year for last season.

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

She scored twelve WSL goals for the club and provided assists for a couple more.

She was also nominated for the prestigious individual award and selected in the PFA and the European season's best XIs.

Her thoughts on personal development over the past year:

"My top performances come when I'm enjoying myself and I'm confident my efforts in practice and completing my tasks, so those are aspects that are within my power.

"There's so many different aspects to a striker's role, it's so detailed and there are tiny differences. I continue to develop. We have great coaches here at Arsenal. There are top teammates to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the important matches arrive, the more you do them, the more you get used to them."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The whole tournament was a total emotional ride. There were ups and downs. It tested us mentally. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I remember after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, many players were really, really battered and bruised. The pressure was immense. But recovery had to be swift. The schedule is relentless.

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

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

Discussing the European final:

"The overriding feeling that I can remember from that whole day was just being so calm, like we were confident our preparation was complete, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we believed in the strategy 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 they do have the ball, they retain it that often.

"As players in the high press and defensively, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. It was a lot of running and plenty of defending. But in the end that led to success. I think that 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. Seeing her for England, too, her talent was remarkable. I wish that she could have played longer and still be playing now, but she was one of the best ever.

"I believe anyone that has played with Kelly would agree and I didn't have the chance of experiencing that. But watching her was something that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo scored 12 goals in 21 games in the WSL last season to divide the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the most clinical players in the competition but Russo was also a constant threat in the penalty area throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (seventy-three) and recording a superior xG (nine point seven) than all her peers.

Her capability to aid the side beyond scoring distinguishes her.

Fellow player Mariona Caldentey regularly played progressive passes 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 marker got in tight, Russo used her body well to draw fouls, helping her team gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the Champions' League the prior year, nobody 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.

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from opposing players marking closely, before locating nearby team-mates positioned facing towards the goal.

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

She can turn difficult passes into extended spells of controlled play and such phases in the attacking zone result in scores, several of these she finishes personally.