Female Footballer of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

Years Old: 26 Position: Striker Teams: The Gunners and England

The talented forward created a legacy with her club as they became the pioneering British team to win the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in the 2000s, and also helped guide England to the successful retention of their continental title.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and found her groove for her club, playing a crucial role all campaign long in front of goal and with her work off the ball.

The forward was named the FWA's top female player for the previous campaign.

She was the Women's Super League's joint top scorer, earning a share of the top scorer award with Khadija Shaw.

She scored twelve 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 European season's best XIs.

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

"I play my best football when I'm having fun and I'm confident I'm training hard and I'm getting my work done, so those are aspects that are within my power.

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, it's so detailed and there are tiny differences. I continue to develop. Our staff is excellent here at Arsenal. There are top teammates to learn off as well. Then when the important matches come around, 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 was emotionally really hard. We were physically drained.

"I recall after the last-eight game, many players were really, really battered and bruised. It was so intense. But recovery had to be swift. 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 the necessary qualities.

"You're playing against the top sides in the world, the elite athletes in the world and occasionally you have to win a little bit dirty."

On the Champions League final:

"The main emotion 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 strategy and what we wanted to do.

"Naturally playing against a team like Barcelona, you've got to be comfortable not possessing the ball because their skill is exceptional. When in possession, they don't give it away frequently.

"We as athletes in the high press and out of possession, we were really focused on our job at hand. There was extensive movement and plenty of defending. But in the end that led to success. In my opinion you have to be OK winning games like that as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I was fortunate of seeing her play a few times with my father. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. I wish that her career lasted more and she was active today, but she was one of the best ever.

"I think those who teamed up with her would say the same thing and I didn't have the chance of doing that. But watching her was something that I always used to love."

Alessia Russo scored 12 goals in twenty-one games in the WSL last season to share the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the most clinical players in the league but she was also a persistent danger in the box throughout the campaign, taking more shots (seventy-three) and having a higher expected goals tally (nine point seven) than any other player.

Her capability to aid the side outside of her goals sets her apart.

Fellow player a teammate often delivered forward balls into Russo, so strong hold-up play was essential.

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

If a marker got in tight, she used her physicality to draw fouls, helping her team secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the European tournament the prior year, nobody was drawn more fouls than the forward (fifteen).

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

Russo takes few contacts on the ball, moving it clear from defenders marking closely, before locating close colleagues oriented forward.

By retaining the ball in tough situations, Russo is often capable to act as an release option for her team under pressure.

She is able convert tough balls into extended spells of controlled play and such phases in the opponent's final third result in scores, many of which she finishes personally.