Women's Soccer Player of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

Years Old: 26 Position: Striker Clubs: The Gunners and the English national team

Alessia Russo made history with her club as they emerged as the pioneering English team to win the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in the 2000s, and also helped guide England to the successful retention of their European Championship title.

She scored in the Euro 2025 final and hit top form for her club, playing a crucial role all campaign long as an attacker and with her work off the ball.

Russo was named the FWA's top female player for last season.

Russo finished as the Women's Super League's joint top scorer, earning a share of the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

Russo netted 12 league goals for the club 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 teams of the year.

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

"I play my best football when I'm having fun and I'm confident I'm training hard and I'm getting my work done, so those are aspects that are within my power.

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, it requires precision and there are so many fine margins. I'm always still learning. We have great coaches here at the club. There are top teammates to learn off as well. Then when the important matches arrive, the more you do them, the more you get used to them."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The entire competition was a complete rollercoaster. There were ups and downs. It tested us mentally. We were physically drained.

"I recall after the last-eight game, many players were really, really battered and bruised. The pressure was immense. But recovery had to be swift. It moves so fast.

"In my view 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 what it takes.

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

Discussing the European final:

"The main emotion that I can remember from that entire occasion was just being very composed, like we were confident 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 aimed to achieve.

"Obviously 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 out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our job at hand. There was extensive movement and plenty of defending. But in the end that's what got the job done. I think that you have to be OK securing victories in that manner as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I got the pleasure of watching her a few times with my dad. Watching her internationally, too, she was just incredible. I hope that her career lasted more and she was active today, but she ranks among the greats.

"I believe anyone that has played with Kelly would say the same thing and I never got the pleasure of doing that. But watching her was someone that I always used to love."

The striker scored 12 goals in 21 games in the WSL last season to divide the scoring award.

She was not just one of the deadliest players in the league but she was also a constant threat in the penalty area throughout the campaign, taking more shots (73) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than all her peers.

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

Team-mate Mariona Caldentey regularly played forward balls 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 in tight, she used her body well to win free-kicks, helping her team secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the European tournament last season, no player was drawn more fouls than the forward (15).

When the play settles, her control are extremely efficient. Her regular awareness of her environment means she stays conscious of where rivals are.

She uses minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from opposing players applying player-to-player pressure, before locating nearby team-mates oriented forward.

By retaining the ball in tough situations, Russo is regularly able to act as an outlet for her side in trouble.

She can turn difficult passes into long periods of controlled play and these possessions in the opponent's final third result in scores, several of these she ends up scoring herself.