Women's Footballer of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

Age: 26 Position: Striker Clubs: Arsenal and the English national team

Alessia Russo made history with her club as they became the pioneering English team to win the prestigious European competition since the Gunners did in 2008, and also helped guide the Lionesses to the successful retention of their European Championship crown.

She scored in the European Championship showpiece match and hit top form for her club, playing a crucial role throughout the season in front of goal and with her defensive efforts.

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

She was the WSL's co-leading goalscorer, earning a share of the top scorer award with Khadija Shaw.

Russo netted twelve league goals for the club and provided assists for a further two.

Her name was put forward for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and selected in the PFA and the Uefa Champions League teams of the year.

Russo on how she feels she has improved over the previous season:

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

"There's so many different aspects to a number nine position, it's so detailed and there are tiny differences. I continue to develop. We have great coaches here at the club. There are top teammates 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 whole tournament was a total emotional ride. It was highs and lows. 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. 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 team, we knew that we had what it takes.

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

On the Champions League final:

"The overriding feeling that stands out from that entire occasion was just being very composed, like we were confident our preparation was complete, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we trusted the strategy and what we wanted to do.

"Obviously playing against a side such as Barça, you've got to be comfortable not having 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 really focused on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement and plenty of defending. But ultimately that's what got the job done. In my opinion you have to be content securing victories in that manner as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I was fortunate of seeing her play a few times with my father. Watching her internationally, too, she was just incredible. I wish that she could have played longer and she was active today, but she was one of the best ever.

"I believe those who teamed up with her would agree and I didn't have the chance of experiencing that. But watching her was someone that I greatly admired."

The striker scored 12 goals in twenty-one games in the WSL last season to divide the Golden Boot.

She was not just one of the deadliest players in the league but Russo was also a constant threat in the penalty area all season long, attempting more efforts (73) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than all her peers.

Her capability to contribute to the team outside of her goals distinguishes her.

Team-mate Mariona Caldentey regularly played forward balls into her, so effective ball retention was essential.

Russo's ability to drop deep, freeing herself from her nearby marker through quick, incisive runs stood out.

If a defender got in tight, Russo used her physicality to win free-kicks, helping her team gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the European tournament last season, no player was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (fifteen).

When the ball does stick, Russo's touches are highly effective. Her frequent scanning of her surroundings means she stays conscious of where rivals are.

She uses few contacts on the ball, directing it away from defenders applying player-to-player pressure, before locating nearby team-mates oriented forward.

By retaining the ball in tough situations, she is often capable to act as an outlet for her side in trouble.

She is able turn difficult passes into extended spells of stable possession and such phases in the attacking zone lead to goals, many of which she ends up scoring herself.