Female Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

Age: 26 Playing Role: Striker Clubs: The Gunners and England

Alessia Russo made history with Arsenal as they emerged as the first English team to win the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in the 2000s, 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 club, playing a crucial role all campaign long as an attacker and with her work off the ball.

The forward was named the Football Writers' Association's women's footballer of the year for last season.

She was the WSL's co-leading goalscorer, sharing the top scorer award with her rival striker.

Russo netted 12 league goals for the club and provided assists for a couple more.

She was also nominated for the prestigious individual award and named in the PFA and the European teams of the year.

Her thoughts on personal development over the previous season:

"My top performances come 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.

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, it requires precision and there are so many fine margins. I'm always still learning. Our staff is excellent here at Arsenal. I have great players to learn off as well. Then when the important matches come around, the greater your experience, the more you get used to them."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The entire competition 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, a lot of us were really, really battered and bruised. The pressure was immense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. The schedule is relentless.

"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 what it takes.

"You're playing against the top sides in the world, the elite athletes in the world and sometimes you have to win a little bit dirty."

Discussing the European final:

"The overriding feeling that stands out from that whole day 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 believed in the game plan and what we wanted to do.

"Naturally 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 out of possession, we were really focused 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. 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 couple of occasions with my father. Watching her internationally, 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 believe anyone that has played with Kelly would agree and I didn't have the chance of experiencing that. But observing her play was something that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo scored twelve goals in 21 games in the WSL last season to share the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the most clinical players in the league but Russo was also a constant threat in the box throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (73) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than all her peers.

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

Fellow player Mariona Caldentey often delivered forward balls into Russo, so effective ball retention was necessary.

Russo's ability to retreat into midfield, freeing herself from her opposing defender through quick, incisive runs stood out.

If a marker got in tight, Russo used her body well to draw fouls, assisting the side secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the European tournament last season, no player was drawn more fouls than the forward (fifteen).

When the play settles, Russo's touches are highly effective. Her regular awareness of her environment means she remains aware of where rivals are.

Russo takes few contacts on the ball, moving it clear from defenders applying player-to-player pressure, before locating nearby team-mates positioned facing towards the goal.

By keeping possession in difficult scenarios, Russo is often capable to act as an release option for her side in trouble.

She is able turn difficult passes into extended spells of stable possession and such phases in the attacking zone result in scores, several of these she ends up scoring herself.