Female Soccer Player of the Year Contender Russo

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

Alessia Russo created a legacy with Arsenal as they became the first British team to win the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in 2008, and also played a key role in leading the Lionesses to the defence of their European Championship title.

Russo found the net in the European Championship final and found her groove for her club, making significant contributions all campaign long in front of goal and with her defensive efforts.

Russo was named the Football Writers' Association's top female player for the previous campaign.

Russo finished as the WSL's co-leading goalscorer, earning a share of the top scorer award with Khadija Shaw.

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

Her name was put forward for the 2025 Ballon d'Or 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 enjoying myself and I'm confident my efforts in practice and I'm getting my work done, so those are aspects that I can always control.

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, it's so detailed and there are tiny differences. I continue to develop. We have great coaches here at the club. I have great players to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the important matches come around, the greater your experience, the more comfortable you become."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The whole tournament was a total emotional ride. It was highs and lows. It tested us mentally. We were physically drained.

"I remember after the last-eight game, a lot of us were extremely sore and injured. It was so intense. But recovery had to be swift. It moves so fast.

"In my view the way that we won throughout that whole tournament was just determination and toughness. 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 best players in the world and occasionally you have to grind out results."

Discussing the European final:

"The overriding feeling that stands out 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 wanted to do.

"Obviously playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not possessing 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. In my opinion you have to be content 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 dad. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. I hope that she could have played longer and she was active today, but she was one of the best ever.

"I believe anyone that has played with Kelly 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 twelve goals in twenty-one games in the Women's Super League last season to share the Golden Boot.

She was not just one of the most clinical players in the competition but Russo was also a constant threat in the box all season long, 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 beyond scoring sets her apart.

Fellow player Mariona Caldentey regularly played forward balls into her, so strong hold-up play was necessary.

Her skill to retreat into midfield, freeing herself from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements was notable.

If a defender got too close, she used her body well to draw fouls, helping her team secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the Champions' League the prior year, nobody was drawn more fouls than the forward (fifteen).

When the ball does stick, her control are extremely efficient. Her frequent scanning of her surroundings means she remains aware of where rivals are.

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, directing it away from defenders applying player-to-player pressure, before locating nearby team-mates oriented forward.

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

She can convert tough balls into long periods of controlled play and such phases in the opponent's final third lead to goals, many of which she ends up scoring herself.