Women's Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

Age: 26 Playing Role: Forward Teams: Arsenal and the English national team

The talented forward made history with Arsenal as they became the first English team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in the 2000s, and also played a key role in leading England to the successful retention of their European Championship crown.

Russo found the net in the European Championship showpiece match and hit top form for her team, playing a crucial role throughout the season as an attacker and with her work off the ball.

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

She was the Women's Super League's co-leading goalscorer, sharing the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

Russo netted twelve league goals for Arsenal and provided assists for a further two.

Her name was put forward for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and named in the PFA and the European season's best XIs.

Russo on how she feels she has improved over the previous season:

"My top performances come when I'm having fun and I know my efforts in practice and completing my tasks, so those are aspects that are within my power.

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, it requires precision and there are tiny differences. I continue to develop. We have great coaches here at the club. There are top teammates to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the important matches come around, the more you do them, the more comfortable you become."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The entire competition was a total emotional ride. There were ups and downs. It tested us mentally. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I recall after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, many players were extremely sore and injured. It was so intense. But recovery had to be swift. The schedule is relentless.

"In my view the way that we won during the event was just grit and resilience. And we were aware that we had the squad, we knew that we had what it takes.

"Facing the best teams in the world, the elite athletes in the world and occasionally you have to grind out results."

Discussing the European final:

"The main emotion that I can remember 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 game plan and what we aimed to achieve.

"Obviously 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 that often.

"We as athletes in the press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement and a lot of defensive work. But ultimately that led to success. In my opinion you have to be content securing victories in that manner as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I was fortunate of watching her a few times with my father. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. I wish that her career lasted more and she was active today, 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 experiencing that. But watching her was someone that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo scored 12 goals in twenty-one games in the Women's Super League last season to share the Golden Boot.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the competition but she was also a persistent danger in the box all season long, attempting more efforts (73) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than all her peers.

Russo's ability to aid the side outside of her goals sets her apart.

Fellow player Mariona Caldentey regularly played forward balls into her, so effective ball retention was essential.

Her skill to drop deep, freeing herself from her nearby marker through sharp, darting movements stood out.

If a defender got too close, she used her physicality to draw fouls, assisting the side 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 ball does stick, 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 close colleagues oriented forward.

By keeping possession in tough situations, Russo is regularly able to act as an outlet for her side in trouble.

She is able convert tough balls into extended spells of controlled play and these possessions in the attacking zone result in scores, several of these she finishes personally.