Female Soccer Player of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

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

The talented forward created a legacy with her club as they became the first British team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the Gunners did in the 2000s, and also helped guide the Lionesses to the defence of their European Championship crown.

She scored in the Euro 2025 final and hit top form for her team, playing a crucial role throughout the season as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

Russo was named the FWA's women's footballer of the year for last season.

She was the WSL's joint top scorer, sharing the top scorer award with Khadija Shaw.

Russo netted twelve league 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 Uefa Champions League teams of the year.

Her thoughts on personal development over the previous season:

"I play my best football when I'm having fun and I'm confident my efforts in practice and completing my tasks, so that's something that I can always control.

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, it's so detailed 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 learn off as well. Then when the big games come around, the greater your experience, the more you get used to them."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The entire competition was a total emotional ride. There were ups and downs. It was emotionally really hard. We were physically drained.

"I remember after the last-eight game, many players were extremely sore and injured. It was so intense. But recovery had to be swift. It moves so fast.

"I think the way that we won during the event was just grit and resilience. And I think that we knew that we had the squad, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"You're playing against 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 I can remember from that entire occasion was just being very composed, like we knew our preparation was complete, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we trusted the game plan and what we wanted to do.

"Naturally 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 that often.

"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 a lot of defensive work. But ultimately that's what got the job done. In my opinion you have to be OK winning games like that as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"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 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 never got the pleasure of doing that. But observing her play was something that I greatly admired."

The striker scored twelve goals in twenty-one games in the WSL last season to share the Golden Boot.

She was not just one of the deadliest players in the league but Russo was also a constant threat in the penalty area all season long, taking more shots (seventy-three) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than any other player.

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

Team-mate Mariona Caldentey often delivered forward balls into Russo, so effective ball retention was necessary.

Russo's ability to retreat into midfield, creating space from her opposing defender through quick, incisive runs stood out.

If a defender got too close, Russo used her body well to draw fouls, assisting the side secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the European tournament the prior year, nobody was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (15).

When the play settles, Russo's touches are extremely efficient. Her regular awareness of her surroundings means she stays conscious of where rivals are.

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, directing it away from opposing players marking closely, before locating nearby team-mates oriented forward.

By keeping possession in difficult scenarios, she is regularly able to act as an outlet for her team under pressure.

She is able turn difficult passes into extended spells of stable possession and these possessions in the attacking zone result in scores, several of these she ends up scoring herself.