Female Soccer Player of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

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

The talented forward made history with her club as they became the pioneering English team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in the 2000s, and also played a key role in leading England to the successful retention of their European Championship crown.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 final and hit top form for her team, making significant contributions all campaign long in front of goal and with her work off the ball.

The forward was honored as the Football Writers' Association's top female player for last season.

She was the Women's Super League's co-leading goalscorer, sharing the top scorer award with Khadija Shaw.

Russo netted twelve WSL goals for Arsenal and provided assists for a couple more.

She was also nominated for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and selected in the Professional Footballers' Association and the European season's best XIs.

Her thoughts on personal development over the previous season:

"My top performances come when I'm having fun and I'm confident my efforts in practice and I'm getting my work done, so those are aspects that are within my power.

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, it's so detailed and there are so many fine margins. I'm always still learning. We have great coaches here at Arsenal. There are top teammates to gain knowledge from 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 whole tournament was a total emotional ride. There were ups and downs. It tested us mentally. We were physically drained.

"I recall after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, many players 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 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 the necessary qualities.

"Facing the best teams in the world, the elite athletes in the world and occasionally you have to grind out results."

On the Champions League final:

"The main emotion that stands out from that whole day was just being very composed, like we were confident 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 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 in possession, they retain it frequently.

"We as athletes in the high press and defensively, we were really focused on our job at hand. There was extensive movement and a lot of defensive work. But ultimately that led to success. I think that you have to be OK winning games like that as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"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 agree and I never got the pleasure of doing that. But watching her was something that I always used to love."

The striker scored twelve goals in twenty-one games in the WSL last season to share the Golden Boot.

Not only was she one of the most clinical players in the competition but she was also a persistent danger in the box all season long, taking more shots (seventy-three) and having a higher expected goals tally (nine point seven) than any other player.

Russo's ability to contribute to the team outside of her goals distinguishes her.

Team-mate Mariona Caldentey regularly played forward balls into Russo, so strong hold-up play was necessary.

Russo's ability to retreat into midfield, freeing herself from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements stood out.

If a marker got in tight, she used her body well to draw fouls, helping her team gain settled possession in the opponents' half. 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 regular awareness of her surroundings means she remains aware of where rivals are.

Russo takes few contacts on the ball, directing it away from defenders marking closely, before locating close colleagues oriented forward.

By keeping possession in difficult scenarios, Russo is regularly able to act as an outlet for her side in trouble.

She can convert tough balls into extended spells of controlled play and these possessions in the opponent's final third result in scores, many of which she finishes personally.