Women's Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

Age: 26 Position: Forward Teams: The Gunners and England

Alessia Russo made history with her club as they emerged as the pioneering British team to win the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in the 2000s, and also played a key role in leading the Lionesses to the defence of their European Championship crown.

Russo found the net in the European Championship showpiece match and found her groove for her team, making significant contributions all campaign long in front of goal and with her defensive efforts.

Russo was honored as the FWA's women's footballer of the year for the previous campaign.

Russo finished as the Women's Super League's co-leading goalscorer, sharing the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

She scored 12 WSL goals for Arsenal and set up for a couple more.

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

Russo on how she feels she has improved over the past year:

"My top performances come when I'm enjoying myself and I know I'm training hard and I'm getting my work done, so that's something that are within my power.

"There's so many different aspects to a striker's role, it requires precision and there are tiny differences. I continue to develop. We have great coaches here at Arsenal. I have great players to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the important matches come around, the more you do them, the more you get used to them."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The entire competition was a total emotional ride. It was highs and lows. It tested us mentally. We were physically drained.

"I recall after the last-eight game, many players were really, really battered and bruised. It was so intense. But recovery had to be swift. It moves so fast.

"I think the way that we won during the event was just determination and toughness. And we were aware 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 occasionally you have to grind out results."

On the Champions League final:

"The main emotion that I can remember from that entire occasion was just being very composed, like we knew our preparation was complete, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we believed in the strategy and what we aimed to achieve.

"Obviously playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not possessing the ball because their skill is exceptional. When in possession, they don't give it away frequently.

"As players in the press and out of possession, we were really focused on our job at hand. It was a lot of running and plenty of defending. But ultimately that's what got the job done. In my opinion you have to be OK securing victories in that manner as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I was fortunate of watching her a couple of occasions with my dad. Watching her internationally, too, her talent was remarkable. I hope that her career lasted more and she was active today, but she ranks among the greats.

"I think anyone that has played with Kelly would say the same thing and I didn't have the chance of experiencing that. But watching her was something that I always used to love."

The striker notched twelve goals in 21 games in the WSL the previous campaign to divide the Golden Boot.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the competition but she was also a constant threat in the box all season long, attempting more efforts (seventy-three) and having a higher expected goals tally (nine point seven) than all her peers.

Her capability to aid the side beyond scoring sets her apart.

Team-mate a teammate often delivered forward balls into her, so strong hold-up play was essential.

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, Russo 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 fouled more than the forward (15).

When the play settles, her control are extremely efficient. Her regular awareness of her surroundings means she stays conscious of where rivals are.

Russo takes few contacts on the ball, directing it away from defenders applying player-to-player pressure, before locating close colleagues positioned facing towards the goal.

By keeping possession in difficult scenarios, she is regularly able to act as an release option for her team under pressure.

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