Women's Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

Age: 26 Position: Striker Teams: The Gunners and the English national team

The talented forward made history with Arsenal as they became the pioneering English team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition 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 crown.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 final and hit top form for her club, making significant contributions all campaign long in front of goal and with her defensive efforts.

Russo was honored as the FWA's top female player for the previous campaign.

Russo finished as the Women's Super League's joint top scorer, earning a share of the top scorer award with her rival striker.

She scored twelve league goals for the club and provided assists for a couple more.

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.

Her thoughts on personal development over the past year:

"I play my best football when I'm enjoying myself and I know my efforts in practice and completing my tasks, so that's something that I can always control.

"There's so many different aspects to a number nine position, it requires precision and there are so many fine margins. I continue to develop. We have great coaches here at the club. I have great players to learn off as well. Then when the big games come around, the more you do them, the more you get used to them."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The whole tournament was a total emotional ride. It was highs and lows. It tested us mentally. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I recall after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, many players were extremely sore and injured. It was so intense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. 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 squad, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"You're playing against the top sides in the world, the elite athletes in the world and sometimes you have to grind out results."

Discussing the European final:

"The overriding feeling that I can remember 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 wanted to do.

"Obviously playing against a team like Barcelona, you must accept not having the ball because they're so talented. When they do have the ball, they don't give it away that often.

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

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I was fortunate of seeing her play a couple of occasions with my dad. Watching her internationally, too, she was just incredible. I hope that her career lasted more and still be playing now, but she was one of the best ever.

"I think those who teamed up with her would say the same thing and I never got the pleasure of doing that. But observing her play was something that I greatly admired."

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

Not only was she one of the most clinical players in the league but she was also a persistent danger in the penalty area throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (seventy-three) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than any other player.

Russo's ability to aid the side beyond scoring sets her apart.

Fellow player Mariona Caldentey often delivered forward balls into Russo, so strong hold-up play was necessary.

Her skill to retreat into midfield, creating space from her opposing defender through quick, incisive runs was notable.

If a defender got too close, she used her body well to win free-kicks, helping her team secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the European tournament the prior year, nobody was fouled more than the forward (fifteen).

When the play settles, Russo's touches are extremely efficient. Her frequent scanning of her environment means she stays conscious of where opponents are.

She uses minimal touches on the ball, directing it away from defenders applying player-to-player pressure, before finding nearby team-mates positioned facing towards the goal.

By retaining the ball in difficult scenarios, she is regularly able to act as an outlet for her side in trouble.

She can turn difficult passes into extended spells of stable possession and these possessions in the opponent's final third result in scores, many of which she finishes personally.