Female Footballer of the Year Candidate Russo

Age: 26 Playing Role: Forward Clubs: The Gunners and the English national team

The talented forward created a legacy with Arsenal as they became the pioneering British team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the North London side did in the 2000s, and also helped guide the Lionesses to the defence of their continental 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 work off the ball.

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

Russo finished as the WSL's joint top scorer, sharing the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

She scored 12 league goals for the club and set up for a couple more.

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

Her thoughts on personal development over the past year:

"I play my best football when I'm having fun and I know I'm training hard and I'm getting my work done, 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. I have great players to learn off as well. Then when the big games come around, the greater your experience, the more you get used to them."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

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

"I remember after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, a lot of us were extremely sore and injured. It was so intense. But recovery had to be swift. It moves so fast.

"In my view the way that we won during the event was just grit and resilience. And we were aware that we had the squad, we knew that we had what it takes.

"Facing the top sides in the world, the best players in the world and occasionally you have to grind out results."

On the Champions League final:

"The overriding feeling that stands out from that whole day was just being very composed, like we knew we'd done the work, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we trusted the strategy 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 they're so talented. When in possession, they retain it frequently.

"As players in the press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated 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. I think that you have to be content securing victories in that manner as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I got the pleasure of seeing her play a few times with my dad. Seeing her for England, too, her talent was remarkable. I wish that her career lasted more and she was active today, but she ranks among the greats.

"I believe those who teamed up with her would say the same thing and I never got the pleasure of doing that. But watching her was someone that I always used to love."

Alessia Russo scored twelve goals in twenty-one games in the WSL 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 recording a superior xG (9.7) than any other player.

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

Fellow player Mariona Caldentey often delivered forward balls into Russo, so strong hold-up play was essential.

Her skill to retreat into midfield, creating space from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements was notable.

If a marker got in tight, she used her body well to win free-kicks, assisting the side secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the European tournament the prior year, nobody was fouled more than the forward (15).

When the play settles, Russo's touches are highly effective. Her frequent scanning of her surroundings means she remains aware of where rivals are.

She uses few contacts on the ball, moving it clear from defenders marking closely, before locating nearby team-mates positioned facing towards the goal.

By retaining the ball in tough situations, she is often capable to act as an outlet 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 ends up scoring herself.