Women's Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

Years Old: 26 Position: Striker Teams: The Gunners and England

The talented forward made history with Arsenal as they became the pioneering British team to win the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in the 2000s, and also helped guide England to the defence of their continental crown.

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

Russo was honored as the FWA's top female player for the previous campaign.

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 couple more.

Her name was put forward for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and selected in the Professional Footballers' Association and the Uefa Champions League teams of the year.

Her thoughts on personal development over the past year:

"I play my best football when I'm having fun and I know I'm training hard and I'm getting my work done, so that's something that I can always control.

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, it requires precision and there are tiny differences. I'm always still learning. We have great coaches here at the club. I have great players to learn off as well. Then when the big games arrive, the more you do them, the more you get used to them."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

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

"I recall after the last-eight game, many players were really, really battered and bruised. It was so intense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. It moves so fast.

"I think the way that we won during the event was just determination and toughness. And we were aware that we had the squad, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"Facing the top sides in the world, the best players in the world and occasionally you have to grind out results."

On the Champions League 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 what it takes, and we knew that we trusted the strategy and what we aimed to achieve.

"Obviously playing against a side such as Barça, you've got to be comfortable not having the ball because their skill is exceptional. When in possession, they retain it frequently.

"We as athletes in the press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our job at hand. There was extensive movement and a lot of defensive work. But in the end that's what got the job done. In my opinion you have to be content 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 father. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. I hope that her career lasted more and still be playing now, but she was one of the best ever.

"I think those who teamed up with her would agree and I never got the pleasure of experiencing that. But observing her play was someone that I always used to love."

The striker notched twelve goals in 21 games in the WSL the previous campaign 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 penalty area all season long, attempting more efforts (seventy-three) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than any other player.

Her capability to aid the side outside of her goals sets her apart.

Team-mate a teammate regularly played progressive passes into her, so effective ball retention was essential.

Russo's ability to drop deep, freeing herself from her nearby marker through quick, incisive runs stood out.

If a marker got in tight, Russo used her body well to draw fouls, helping her team secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the Champions' League last season, no player was fouled more than the forward (15).

When the play settles, Russo's touches are highly effective. Her frequent scanning of her surroundings means she stays conscious of where rivals are.

She uses few contacts on the ball, moving it clear from defenders marking closely, before finding close colleagues oriented forward.

By retaining the ball in difficult scenarios, she is often capable to act as an release option for her side in trouble.

She can turn difficult passes into long periods of stable possession and these possessions in the opponent's final third lead to goals, several of these she finishes personally.