Women's Footballer of the Year Contender Russo

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

The talented forward created a legacy with Arsenal as they became the pioneering English team to win the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in the 2000s, and also helped guide England to the successful retention of their European Championship title.

Russo found the net in the European Championship showpiece match and found her groove for her team, playing a crucial role all campaign long in front of goal and with her defensive efforts.

Russo was named the FWA's women's footballer of the year for the previous campaign.

Russo finished as the Women's Super League's co-leading goalscorer, sharing the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

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

Her name was put forward for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and selected in the PFA and the Uefa Champions League teams of the year.

Her thoughts on personal development over the previous season:

"My top performances come when I'm enjoying myself and I know 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 requires precision and there are so many fine margins. I continue to develop. Our staff is excellent here at Arsenal. There are top teammates 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 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, many players were really, really battered and bruised. 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 squad, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"You're playing against the best teams in the world, the elite athletes in the world and occasionally you have to grind out results."

Discussing the European final:

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

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

"We as athletes in the high press and defensively, we were really focused on our job at hand. There was extensive movement and a lot of defensive work. But in the end 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 seeing her play a few times with my dad. Watching her internationally, too, her talent was remarkable. I wish that her career lasted more and she was active today, but she ranks among the greats.

"I think anyone that has played with Kelly would agree and I never got the pleasure of doing that. But observing her play was someone that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo notched 12 goals in twenty-one games in the WSL last season to divide the Golden Boot.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the competition but she was also a persistent danger in the penalty area throughout the campaign, taking more shots (seventy-three) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than all her peers.

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

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

Russo's ability to retreat into midfield, freeing herself from her opposing defender through quick, incisive runs was notable.

If a defender got too close, she used her physicality to draw fouls, assisting the side gain settled possession in the enemy territory. In the European tournament last season, no player was fouled more than the forward (fifteen).

When the play settles, Russo's touches are highly effective. Her frequent scanning of her surroundings means she remains aware of where rivals are.

Russo takes few contacts on the ball, moving it clear from opposing players applying player-to-player pressure, before locating close colleagues positioned facing towards the goal.

By keeping possession in tough situations, she is often capable to act as an outlet for her side in trouble.

She can convert tough balls into extended spells of controlled play and such phases in the attacking zone lead to goals, many of which she finishes personally.