Female Footballer of the Year Contender Russo

Age: 26 Playing Role: Forward Teams: Arsenal and England

The talented forward created a legacy with Arsenal as they became the first British team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the North London side did in the 2000s, and also played a key role in leading England to the defence of their continental title.

She scored in the European Championship showpiece match and hit top form for her team, playing a crucial role all campaign long in front of goal and with her defensive efforts.

The forward was named the Football Writers' Association's women's footballer of the year for the previous campaign.

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

She scored twelve WSL goals for Arsenal 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.

Russo on how she feels she has improved 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 are within my power.

"There's so many different aspects to a number nine position, it requires precision and there are so many fine margins. 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 arrive, the greater your experience, the more you get used to them."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The entire competition was a complete rollercoaster. It was highs and lows. It tested us mentally. We were physically drained.

"I recall after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, many players were extremely sore and injured. It was so intense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. The schedule is relentless.

"I think the way that we won throughout that whole tournament was just grit and resilience. And I think that we knew that we had the squad, we knew that we had what it takes.

"You're playing against the best teams in the world, the elite athletes in the world and occasionally you have to win a little bit dirty."

Discussing the European final:

"The overriding feeling that I can remember from that whole day 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 strategy and what we aimed to achieve.

"Obviously playing against a team like Barcelona, you've got to be comfortable not having the ball because they're so talented. When in possession, they retain it 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. In my opinion you have to be content winning games like that as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I was fortunate of watching her a couple of occasions with my dad. Seeing her for England, 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 believe those who teamed up with her 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."

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

She was not just one of the most clinical players in the competition but Russo was also a persistent danger in the box throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (73) and recording a superior xG (nine point seven) than any other player.

Russo's ability to contribute to the team beyond scoring sets her apart.

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

Her skill to drop deep, creating space from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements was notable.

If a defender got in tight, she used her physicality to win free-kicks, assisting the side secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the European tournament last season, no player was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (15).

When the ball does stick, Russo's touches 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 tough situations, Russo is regularly able to act as an release option for her team under pressure.

She is able turn difficult passes into long periods of stable possession and such phases in the attacking zone result in scores, several of these she finishes personally.