Female Footballer of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

Age: 26 Position: Striker Teams: Arsenal and England

Alessia Russo created a legacy with Arsenal as they became the pioneering English team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the North London side did in the 2000s, and also helped guide the Lionesses to the successful retention of their continental title.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and hit top form for her club, making significant contributions throughout the season as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

The forward was honored as the FWA's women's footballer of the year for the previous campaign.

She was the WSL's joint top scorer, sharing the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

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

She was also nominated for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and selected in the Professional Footballers' Association and the European teams of the year.

Russo on how she feels she has improved over the past year:

"I play my best football 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 striker's role, it's so detailed and there are tiny differences. I'm always still learning. Our staff is excellent here at the club. There are top teammates to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the important matches come around, the greater your experience, the more comfortable you become."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The whole tournament was a total emotional ride. There were ups and downs. It was emotionally really hard. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I remember after the last-eight game, many players were really, really battered and bruised. The pressure was immense. But recovery had to be swift. The schedule is relentless.

"I think 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.

"Facing the top sides in the world, the best players in the world and occasionally you have to win a little bit dirty."

Discussing the European final:

"The overriding feeling that stands out from that whole day was just being very composed, like we were confident we'd done the work, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we believed in the game plan and what we wanted to do.

"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 that often.

"As players in the high press and out of possession, we were really focused on our job at hand. There was extensive movement and a lot of defensive work. But ultimately that's what got the job done. I think that you have to be content securing victories in that manner as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I was fortunate of watching her a couple of occasions with my father. Watching her internationally, too, her talent was remarkable. I hope that she could have played longer and still be playing now, but she was one of the best ever.

"I think anyone that has played with Kelly would say the same thing and I didn't have the chance of doing that. But observing her play was someone that I always used to love."

Alessia Russo scored 12 goals in 21 games in the WSL last season to share the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the most clinical players in the competition but she was also a constant threat in the box all season long, taking more shots (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (nine point seven) than any other player.

Her capability to contribute to the team beyond scoring sets her apart.

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

Russo's ability to retreat into midfield, freeing herself from her nearby marker through sharp, darting movements was notable.

If a marker got in tight, she used her body well to win free-kicks, helping her team gain settled possession in the enemy territory. In the European tournament the prior year, no player was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (fifteen).

When the play settles, her control are highly effective. Her regular awareness of her surroundings means she remains aware of where opponents are.

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from defenders marking closely, before locating nearby team-mates 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 convert tough balls into long periods of stable possession and these possessions in the opponent's final third lead to goals, many of which she ends up scoring herself.