Women's Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

Age: 26 Position: Forward Teams: The Gunners and England

Alessia Russo created a legacy with her club as they became the pioneering English team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in 2008, and also played a key role in leading the Lionesses to the successful retention of their European Championship crown.

Russo found the net in the European Championship showpiece match and hit top form for her club, making significant contributions all campaign long in front of goal and with her defensive efforts.

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

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

Russo netted 12 WSL goals for the club and provided assists for a further two.

Her name was put forward for the prestigious individual award and selected in the PFA and the Uefa Champions League teams of the year.

Her thoughts on personal development over the previous season:

"My top performances come when I'm enjoying myself and I know my efforts in practice and completing my tasks, so that's something that I can always control.

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, it requires precision and there are so many fine margins. 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 greater your experience, the more comfortable you become."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The entire competition was a complete rollercoaster. There were ups and downs. It tested us mentally. We were physically drained.

"I recall after the last-eight game, many players were really, really battered and bruised. The pressure was immense. But recovery had to be swift. It moves so fast.

"I think the way that we won throughout that whole tournament was just determination and toughness. And we were aware that we had the squad, 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 main emotion that stands out from that entire occasion was just being so calm, like we were confident we'd done the work, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we believed in the game plan and what we wanted to do.

"Obviously playing against a team like Barcelona, you must accept not possessing the ball because they're so talented. When in possession, they retain it that often.

"As players 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 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 few times 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 was one of the best ever.

"I think anyone that has played with Kelly would say the same thing and I never got the pleasure of doing that. But observing her play was someone that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo scored twelve goals in 21 games in the WSL the previous campaign to divide the Golden Boot.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the competition but she was also a persistent danger in the penalty area all season long, attempting more efforts (73) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than any other player.

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

Team-mate Mariona Caldentey regularly played progressive passes into her, so effective ball retention was essential.

Her skill to drop deep, creating space from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements was notable.

If a marker got too close, she used her physicality to win free-kicks, helping her team secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the European tournament the prior year, no player was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (15).

When the ball does stick, Russo's touches are highly effective. Her regular awareness of her environment means she stays conscious of where opponents are.

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, directing it away from opposing players applying player-to-player pressure, before locating nearby team-mates positioned facing towards the goal.

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

She is able convert tough balls into long periods of controlled play and such phases in the opponent's final third result in scores, many of which she ends up scoring herself.