Women's Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

Years Old: 26 Position: Forward Clubs: Arsenal and the English national team

The talented forward created a legacy 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 helped guide the Lionesses to the successful retention of their continental title.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 final and hit top form for her team, making significant contributions throughout the season as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

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

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

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

She was also nominated for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and named in the Professional Footballers' Association and the European season's best XIs.

Her thoughts on personal development over the past year:

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

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, it requires precision and there are so many fine margins. I continue to develop. Our staff is excellent here at Arsenal. I have great players to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the big games arrive, the more you do them, the more you get used to them."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The whole tournament was a complete rollercoaster. There were ups and downs. It tested us mentally. We were physically drained.

"I remember after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, a lot of us were extremely sore and injured. The pressure was immense. But recovery had to be swift. The schedule is relentless.

"In my view the way that we won during the event was just determination and toughness. And I think that we knew that we had the squad, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

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

Discussing the European final:

"The main emotion that stands out from that whole day 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 believed in the strategy and what we wanted to do.

"Obviously playing against a team like Barcelona, you've got to be comfortable not having the ball because their skill is exceptional. When they do have the ball, they don't give it away that often.

"We as athletes in the high press and out of possession, we were really focused 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 content 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 she could have played longer and she was active today, but she ranks among the greats.

"I believe those who teamed up with her would agree and I never got the pleasure of experiencing that. But watching her was someone that I greatly admired."

The striker scored 12 goals in twenty-one games in the WSL the previous campaign to share the Golden Boot.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the competition but Russo was also a persistent danger in the box all season long, attempting more efforts (seventy-three) and recording a superior xG (nine point seven) than all her peers.

Russo's ability to aid the side outside of her goals sets her apart.

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

Russo's ability to drop deep, freeing herself from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements was notable.

If a defender got in tight, Russo used her body well to win free-kicks, assisting the side secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the European tournament last season, no player was drawn more fouls than the forward (15).

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

She uses minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from opposing players marking closely, before finding close colleagues oriented forward.

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

She can convert tough balls into extended spells of stable possession and these possessions in the attacking zone result in scores, many of which she finishes personally.