Female Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Russo

Age: 26 Position: Forward Teams: Arsenal and England

The talented forward made history with Arsenal as they emerged as the pioneering British team to win the Women's Champions League since the North London side did in the 2000s, and also played a key role in leading England to the defence of their European Championship title.

She scored in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and found her groove for her team, playing a crucial role all campaign long in front of goal and with her defensive efforts.

The forward was honored as the FWA's top female player for last season.

She was the Women's Super League's joint top scorer, sharing the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

Russo netted 12 league 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 European teams of the year.

Her thoughts on personal development over the past year:

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

"There's so many different aspects to a striker's role, it's so detailed 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 big games come around, the more you do them, the more comfortable you become."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The whole tournament was a complete rollercoaster. It was highs and lows. It tested us mentally. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I remember after the last-eight game, a lot of us were extremely sore and injured. The pressure was immense. But recovery had to be swift. The schedule is relentless.

"In my view the way that we won throughout that whole tournament was just grit and resilience. And we were aware that we had the squad, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"Facing the top sides in the world, the best players in the world and occasionally you have to win a little bit dirty."

On the Champions League final:

"The main emotion that I can remember from that whole day 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 trusted the strategy and what we aimed to achieve.

"Naturally playing against a team like Barcelona, you must accept not having the ball because they're so talented. When in possession, they retain it frequently.

"As players in the high press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our job at hand. There was extensive movement and plenty of defending. But ultimately that's what got the job done. I think that 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 seeing her play a couple of occasions with my dad. Watching her internationally, too, her talent was remarkable. I wish that her career lasted more and still be playing now, but she ranks among the greats.

"I believe those who teamed up with her would agree and I never got the pleasure of doing that. But observing her play was something that I always used to love."

Alessia Russo scored 12 goals in 21 games in the WSL the previous campaign to share the scoring award.

She was not just one of the most clinical players in the competition but she was also a constant threat in the box throughout the campaign, taking more shots (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (nine point seven) than all her peers.

Russo's ability to aid the side outside of her goals distinguishes her.

Fellow player Mariona Caldentey regularly played forward balls into her, so strong hold-up play was essential.

Russo's ability to drop deep, freeing herself from her nearby marker through sharp, darting movements was notable.

If a defender got in tight, Russo used her body well to win free-kicks, assisting the side gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the Champions' League the prior year, no player was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (fifteen).

When the play settles, Russo's touches are extremely efficient. Her regular awareness of her surroundings means she remains aware of where rivals 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 difficult scenarios, she is often capable to act as an outlet for her team under pressure.

She is able turn difficult passes into extended spells of stable possession and such phases in the attacking zone result in scores, many of which she finishes personally.