Women's Soccer Player of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

Age: 26 Position: Striker Teams: The Gunners and the English national team

Alessia Russo created a legacy with Arsenal as they emerged as the pioneering British team to win the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in 2008, and also helped guide the Lionesses to the successful retention of their European Championship title.

She scored in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and found her groove for her club, making significant contributions throughout the season in front of goal and with her defensive efforts.

Russo was honored as the Football Writers' Association's women's footballer of the year for last season.

She was the Women's Super League's co-leading goalscorer, earning a share of the Golden Boot with Khadija Shaw.

She scored 12 WSL goals for Arsenal and set up for a further two.

She was also nominated for the prestigious individual award and named in the PFA and the Uefa Champions League season's best XIs.

Her thoughts on personal development over the past year:

"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 that's something that are within my power.

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, it's so detailed 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 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 remember 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. It moves so fast.

"In my view the way that we won throughout that whole tournament was just determination and toughness. And I think that we knew that we had the team, we knew that we had what it takes.

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

Discussing the European final:

"The overriding feeling that I can remember 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 game plan and what we aimed to achieve.

"Naturally playing against a side such as Barça, you've got to be comfortable 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 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 OK securing victories in that manner as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I got the pleasure of seeing her play a few times with my dad. 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 believe those who teamed up with her would agree and I didn't have the chance of doing that. But observing her play was someone that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo notched 12 goals in 21 games in the WSL 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 box throughout the campaign, taking more shots (seventy-three) and having a higher expected goals tally (nine point seven) than all her peers.

Her capability to contribute to the team outside of her goals distinguishes her.

Team-mate Mariona Caldentey often delivered forward balls into her, so strong hold-up play was essential.

Russo's ability to drop deep, creating space from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements stood out.

If a defender got in tight, she used her body well to draw fouls, helping her team secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the European tournament the prior year, no player was drawn more fouls 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 few contacts on the ball, moving it clear from defenders applying player-to-player pressure, before locating close colleagues oriented forward.

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

She is able turn difficult passes into extended spells of stable possession and these possessions in the opponent's final third result in scores, many of which she finishes personally.