Female Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

Years Old: 26 Position: Striker Teams: Arsenal and England

Alessia Russo created a legacy with her club as they emerged as the first British team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in 2008, and also played a key role in leading England to the defence of their European Championship title.

She scored in the Euro 2025 final and hit top form for her team, playing a crucial role throughout the season in front of goal and with her defensive efforts.

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

She was the WSL's co-leading goalscorer, earning a share of the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

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

She was also nominated for the prestigious individual award and named in the Professional Footballers' Association and the Uefa Champions League teams of the year.

Her thoughts on personal development over the previous season:

"I play my best football when I'm enjoying myself and I'm confident I'm training hard and completing my tasks, so that's something that are within my power.

"There's so many different aspects to a number nine position, it's so detailed and there are tiny differences. I continue to develop. We have great coaches here at Arsenal. I have great players to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the big games arrive, the greater your experience, the more comfortable you become."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The entire competition was a complete rollercoaster. It was highs and lows. It was emotionally really hard. We were physically drained.

"I recall after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, a lot of us were extremely sore and injured. It was so intense. 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 grit and resilience. And I think that we knew that we had the team, we knew that we had what it takes.

"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 our preparation was complete, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we trusted the game plan and what we wanted to do.

"Naturally playing against a team like Barcelona, you must accept not having the ball because their skill is exceptional. When in possession, they retain it that often.

"As players in the high press and defensively, we were highly concentrated 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. I think that you have to be content winning games like that as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I got the pleasure of watching her a few times with my father. Watching her internationally, too, she was just incredible. I hope that she could have played longer and she was active today, but she ranks among the greats.

"I think anyone that has played with Kelly 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."

The striker notched 12 goals in twenty-one games in the WSL last season to divide the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the deadliest 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.

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

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

Her skill to drop deep, freeing herself from her nearby marker through sharp, darting movements was notable.

If a defender got in tight, she used her physicality to win free-kicks, assisting the side secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the Champions' League last season, no player was drawn more fouls than the forward (fifteen).

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

Russo takes few contacts on the ball, directing it away from opposing players marking closely, before finding close colleagues oriented forward.

By retaining the ball in difficult scenarios, she is regularly able to act as an release option for her team under pressure.

She can convert tough balls into extended spells of controlled play and these possessions in the attacking zone lead to goals, many of which she ends up scoring herself.