Women's Footballer of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

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

Alessia Russo created a legacy with Arsenal as they emerged as the pioneering English team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in the 2000s, and also helped guide England to the defence of their European Championship crown.

She scored in the European Championship final and hit top form for her club, playing a crucial role throughout the season in front of goal and with her defensive efforts.

The forward was honored as the Football Writers' Association's top female player for the previous campaign.

She was the WSL's joint top scorer, earning a share of the Golden Boot with Khadija Shaw.

Russo netted 12 WSL goals for Arsenal and set up for a couple more.

Her name was put forward for the prestigious individual award and selected in the PFA and the European season's best XIs.

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

"My top performances come when I'm having fun and I know my efforts in practice and completing my tasks, so that's something that are within my power.

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, it requires precision and there are tiny differences. I'm always still learning. We have great coaches here at the club. I have great players to learn off as well. Then when the big games come around, the more you do them, the more comfortable you become."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

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

"I recall after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, a lot of us were extremely sore and injured. 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 determination and toughness. And I think that we knew 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 grind out results."

On the Champions League final:

"The main emotion that stands out from that whole day was just being so calm, like we were confident we'd done the work, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we trusted the game plan and what we wanted to do.

"Obviously 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 defensively, we were really focused on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement and plenty of defending. But in the end that led to success. I think that you have to be OK securing victories in that manner as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I got the pleasure of watching her a couple of occasions with my father. Seeing her for England, too, her talent was remarkable. I wish that she could have played longer and still be playing now, but she was one of the best ever.

"I think those who teamed up with her would say the same thing and I never got the pleasure of experiencing that. But observing her play was someone that I always used to love."

Alessia Russo scored 12 goals in 21 games in the WSL last season to share the Golden Boot.

She was not just one of the deadliest players in the competition but she was also a persistent danger in the box all season long, taking more shots (73) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than any other player.

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

Team-mate Mariona Caldentey often delivered progressive passes into her, so effective ball retention was necessary.

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

If a defender got too close, Russo used her body well to draw fouls, assisting the side gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the European tournament the prior year, nobody was fouled more than the forward (fifteen).

When the play settles, her control are highly effective. Her regular awareness of her environment 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 outlet for her side in trouble.

She is able convert tough balls into extended spells of stable possession and such phases in the opponent's final third lead to goals, several of these she finishes personally.