Women's Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

Years Old: 26 Position: Striker Clubs: Arsenal and England

The talented forward created a legacy with her club as they became the pioneering British team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the North London side did in 2008, and also helped guide England to the successful retention of their European Championship crown.

She scored in the European Championship final and found her groove for her club, making significant contributions all campaign long as an attacker and with her work off the ball.

The forward was named the Football Writers' Association's women's footballer of the year for the previous campaign.

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

Russo netted 12 league goals for the club and set up for a further two.

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

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

"My top performances come when I'm enjoying myself and I'm confident I'm training hard and completing my tasks, so those are aspects that are within my power.

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, it requires precision 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 big games arrive, the greater your experience, the more comfortable you become."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The entire competition was a complete rollercoaster. It was highs and lows. It was emotionally really hard. We were physically drained.

"I remember after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, a lot of us were really, really battered and bruised. It was so intense. But recovery had to be swift. The schedule is relentless.

"I think the way that we won throughout that whole tournament was just grit and resilience. And we were aware that we had the team, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"You're playing against 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 I can remember from that whole day was just being so calm, like we knew our preparation was complete, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we trusted the strategy and what we aimed to achieve.

"Obviously playing against a team like Barcelona, you've got to be comfortable not having the ball because they're so talented. When in possession, they retain it frequently.

"We as athletes in the high press and defensively, we were really focused on our job at hand. There was extensive movement and a lot of defensive work. But ultimately that's what got the job done. I think that you have to be OK securing victories in that manner as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I was fortunate of seeing her play a couple of occasions with my dad. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. I wish 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 agree and I didn't have the chance of doing that. But observing her play was someone that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo scored 12 goals in 21 games in the Women's Super League the previous campaign to divide the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the competition but Russo was also a constant threat in the box throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (seventy-three) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than any other player.

Her capability to aid the side outside of her goals distinguishes her.

Fellow player a teammate regularly played progressive passes into Russo, so effective ball retention was essential.

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

If a marker got in tight, Russo used her physicality to win free-kicks, assisting the side gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the Champions' League the prior year, nobody was drawn more fouls than the Arsenal striker (fifteen).

When the ball does stick, her control are extremely efficient. Her regular awareness of her environment means she stays conscious of where rivals are.

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from opposing players applying player-to-player pressure, before finding close colleagues positioned facing towards the goal.

By retaining the ball in difficult scenarios, she is often capable to act as an release option for her side in trouble.

She can convert tough balls into long periods of controlled play and these possessions in the attacking zone lead to goals, many of which she ends up scoring herself.