Women's Soccer Player of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

Years Old: 26 Position: Striker Teams: Arsenal and the English national team

The talented forward created a legacy with Arsenal as they became the pioneering English 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 the Lionesses to the successful retention of their continental crown.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 final and hit top form for her team, playing a crucial role all campaign long as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

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

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

She scored 12 league goals for Arsenal and set up for a further two.

Her name was put forward for the prestigious individual award and named in the PFA and the Uefa Champions League teams of the year.

Her thoughts on personal development over the past year:

"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 I can always control.

"There's so many different aspects to a striker's role, it's so detailed and there are tiny differences. I continue to develop. We have great coaches 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 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 remember after the last-eight game, many players were really, really battered and bruised. The pressure was immense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. The schedule is relentless.

"I think the way that we won throughout that whole tournament was just grit and resilience. And I think that we knew that we had the team, we knew that we had what it takes.

"You're playing against the best teams in the world, the best players in the world and occasionally you have to grind out results."

On the Champions League final:

"The overriding feeling that stands out from that entire occasion was just being so calm, like we knew our preparation was complete, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we trusted the game plan and what we wanted to do.

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

"We as athletes in the press and defensively, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. 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 got the pleasure of seeing her play a few times with my father. Watching her internationally, too, she was just incredible. I wish that her career lasted more and still be playing now, 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 doing that. But watching her was someone that I always used to love."

Alessia Russo 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 she was also a constant threat in the penalty area throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (73) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than any other player.

Russo's ability to contribute to the team beyond scoring sets her apart.

Team-mate Mariona Caldentey often delivered progressive passes into Russo, so strong hold-up play was necessary.

Russo's ability to retreat into midfield, creating space from her opposing defender through quick, incisive runs was notable.

If a defender got in tight, she used her body well to win free-kicks, helping her team gain settled possession in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League last season, nobody was drawn more fouls than the Arsenal striker (fifteen).

When the ball does stick, her control are highly effective. Her regular awareness of her surroundings means she remains aware of where rivals are.

She uses few contacts on the ball, directing it away from opposing players marking closely, before locating nearby team-mates 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 is able convert tough balls into long periods of controlled play and such phases in the opponent's final third lead to goals, many of which she finishes personally.