Female Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

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

The talented forward created a legacy with Arsenal as they became the first British team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in the 2000s, and also played a key role in leading England to the defence of their European Championship crown.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 final and hit top form for her team, playing a crucial role all campaign long in front of goal and with her work off the ball.

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

She was the WSL's co-leading goalscorer, sharing the top scorer award with Khadija Shaw.

She scored twelve league goals for Arsenal and provided assists for a couple more.

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

Her thoughts on personal development over the previous season:

"My top performances come when I'm having fun and I'm confident I'm training hard and completing my tasks, so those are aspects that I can always control.

"There's so many different aspects to a number nine position, it requires precision 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 arrive, the greater your experience, the more comfortable you become."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The whole tournament was a complete rollercoaster. It was highs and lows. It tested us mentally. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I remember after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, a lot of us were really, really battered and bruised. The pressure was immense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. It moves so fast.

"I think the way that we won during the event was just determination and toughness. And we were aware that we had the squad, 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 sometimes you have to win a little bit dirty."

On the Champions League final:

"The overriding feeling that I can remember from that entire occasion was just being very composed, like we knew our preparation was complete, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we trusted the game plan and what we aimed to achieve.

"Obviously playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not possessing the ball because they're so talented. When in possession, they retain it frequently.

"As players in the high press and out of possession, we were really focused on our job at hand. It was a lot of running and a lot of defensive work. But ultimately that's what got the job done. In my opinion you have to be content winning games like that as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I was fortunate of seeing her play a few times with my father. Watching her internationally, too, her talent was remarkable. I hope that she could have played longer 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 never got the pleasure of doing that. But watching her was someone that I always used to love."

The striker scored twelve goals in 21 games in the Women's Super League the previous campaign to share the Golden Boot.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the league but she was also a constant threat in the penalty area throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (seventy-three) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than all her peers.

Russo's ability to contribute to the team outside of her goals distinguishes her.

Fellow player Mariona Caldentey regularly played progressive passes into Russo, so strong hold-up play was necessary.

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

If a marker got in tight, she used her body well to win free-kicks, assisting the side secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the European tournament the prior year, no player was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (15).

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

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, directing it away from opposing players marking closely, before finding close colleagues positioned facing towards the goal.

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

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