Women's Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

Age: 26 Position: Forward Clubs: 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 played a key role in leading England to the defence of their continental title.

She scored in the Euro 2025 final and found her groove for her team, making significant contributions all campaign long as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

Russo was named the Football Writers' Association's women's footballer of the year for the previous campaign.

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

Russo netted twelve league goals for the club and set up for a further two.

She was also nominated for the 2025 Ballon d'Or 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 previous season:

"I play my best football when I'm enjoying myself and I'm confident my efforts in practice 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 so many fine margins. I'm always still learning. We have great coaches here at the club. I have great players to learn off as well. Then when the big games arrive, the more you do them, the more you get used to them."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The entire competition was a complete rollercoaster. It was highs and lows. It was emotionally really hard. We were physically drained.

"I recall after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, many players were really, really battered and bruised. It was so intense. 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 determination and toughness. And I think that we knew that we had the team, we knew that we had what it takes.

"You're playing against the best teams in the world, the elite athletes in the world and sometimes you have to grind out results."

Discussing the European final:

"The main emotion that stands out from that whole day was just being very composed, like we knew our preparation was complete, we knew that we had the ability, 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 possessing the ball because their skill is exceptional. When in possession, they retain it that often.

"We as athletes in the press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement and plenty of defending. But in the end that led to success. In my opinion you have to be OK securing victories in that manner as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I was fortunate of watching her a few times with my dad. Watching her internationally, too, her talent was remarkable. I hope that she could have played longer and still be playing now, but she was one of the best ever.

"I think those who teamed up with her would agree and I didn't have the chance of doing that. But watching her was something that I always used to love."

The striker notched 12 goals in twenty-one games in the WSL last season to share the scoring award.

She was not just one of the most clinical players in the league but she was also a persistent danger in the penalty area all season long, taking more shots (seventy-three) and having a higher expected goals tally (nine point seven) than all her peers.

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 necessary.

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

If a defender got too close, she used her physicality to draw fouls, assisting the side gain settled possession in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League last season, no player was drawn more fouls than the forward (fifteen).

When the play settles, her control are extremely efficient. Her regular awareness of her surroundings means she remains aware of where opponents are.

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, directing it away from defenders applying player-to-player pressure, before locating close colleagues oriented forward.

By retaining the ball 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 extended spells of controlled play and such phases in the opponent's final third result in scores, many of which she finishes personally.