Female Soccer Player of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

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

Alessia Russo created a legacy with Arsenal as they became the first British team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the Gunners did in the 2000s, and also played a key role in leading the Lionesses to the defence of their European Championship crown.

She scored in the Euro 2025 final and hit top form 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 top female player for the previous campaign.

She was the Women's Super League's co-leading goalscorer, earning a share of the Golden Boot with Khadija Shaw.

Russo netted twelve WSL goals for the club and provided assists for a couple more.

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

Russo on how she feels she has improved 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 those are aspects that are within my power.

"Numerous elements 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 Arsenal. I have great players to learn off as well. Then when the important matches arrive, the more you do them, the more you get used to them."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The entire competition was a total emotional ride. There were ups and downs. It tested us mentally. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I recall after the last-eight game, a lot of us were extremely sore and injured. The pressure was immense. But recovery had to be swift. The schedule is relentless.

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

"Facing the top sides 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 stands out from that entire occasion was just being very composed, like we knew we'd done the work, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we believed in the game plan and what we wanted to do.

"Naturally playing against a side such as Barça, you've got to be comfortable not possessing the ball because they're so talented. When in possession, they don't give it away that often.

"We as athletes in the high press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. It was a lot of running 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 few times with my dad. Watching her internationally, too, her talent was remarkable. I hope that she could have played longer and still be playing now, but she was one of the best ever.

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

The striker notched 12 goals in 21 games in the Women's Super League the previous campaign to divide the Golden Boot.

She was not just one of the most clinical players in the league but Russo was also a constant threat in the penalty area all season long, taking more shots (seventy-three) and recording a superior xG (nine point seven) than all her peers.

Her capability to contribute to the team outside of her goals distinguishes her.

Team-mate a teammate often delivered forward balls into her, so effective ball retention was essential.

Her skill to retreat into midfield, freeing herself from her nearby marker through quick, incisive runs stood out.

If a marker got in tight, she used her body well to draw fouls, assisting the side secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the European tournament last season, nobody was drawn more fouls than the Arsenal striker (15).

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

She uses few contacts on the ball, moving it clear from defenders applying player-to-player pressure, before locating close colleagues positioned facing towards the goal.

By keeping possession in difficult scenarios, she is regularly able to act as an outlet for her side in trouble.

She is able convert tough balls into long periods of stable possession and these possessions in the attacking zone lead to goals, many of which she finishes personally.