Women's Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

Age: 26 Position: Striker Teams: Arsenal and the English national team

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

She scored in the European Championship showpiece match and found her groove for her team, playing a crucial role throughout the season in front of goal and with her defensive efforts.

The forward was honored as the FWA's top female player for last season.

Russo finished as the WSL's joint top scorer, sharing the Golden Boot with Khadija Shaw.

Russo netted twelve league goals for the club and provided assists for a couple more.

She was also nominated for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and selected in the Professional Footballers' Association 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 I'm training hard and I'm getting my work done, so those are aspects that are within my power.

"There's so many different aspects to a striker's role, it requires precision and there are tiny differences. I continue to develop. We have great coaches here at Arsenal. There are top teammates to learn off as well. Then when the important matches come around, the more you do them, the more you get used to them."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The entire competition was a total emotional ride. It was highs and lows. It was emotionally really hard. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I recall after the last-eight game, a lot of us were really, really battered and bruised. It was so intense. But recovery had to be swift. The schedule is relentless.

"I think the way that we won during the event 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 best teams in the world, the elite athletes in the world and sometimes you have to grind out results."

On the Champions League final:

"The main emotion that I can remember from that entire occasion was just being very composed, like we knew 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.

"Naturally playing against a team like Barcelona, you must accept not possessing the ball because they're so talented. When in possession, they retain it that often.

"As players in the press and defensively, we were really focused on our job at hand. There was extensive movement and plenty of defending. But ultimately that led to success. In my opinion you have to be OK securing victories in that manner as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I was fortunate of watching her a couple of occasions with my father. Watching her internationally, too, her talent was remarkable. I wish 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 agree and I never got the pleasure of experiencing that. But watching her was something that I always used to love."

Alessia Russo notched 12 goals in twenty-one games in the Women's Super League the previous campaign to share the Golden Boot.

She was not just one of the deadliest players in the league but Russo was also a persistent danger in the penalty area throughout the campaign, taking more shots (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (nine point seven) than any other player.

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

Fellow player a teammate often delivered progressive passes into Russo, so strong hold-up play was essential.

Her skill to drop deep, freeing herself from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements stood out.

If a defender got too close, Russo used her physicality to win free-kicks, assisting the side gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the Champions' League last season, no player was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (fifteen).

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

She uses minimal touches on the ball, directing it away from opposing players marking closely, before finding nearby team-mates oriented forward.

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

She is able turn difficult passes into long periods of controlled play and such phases in the opponent's final third result in scores, many of which she finishes personally.