Female Soccer Player of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

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

Alessia Russo created a legacy with Arsenal as they became the first English team to win the Women's Champions League since the North London side did in 2008, and also helped guide the Lionesses to the defence of their continental crown.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 final and hit top form for her club, playing a crucial role all campaign long in front of goal and with her defensive efforts.

The forward was named the FWA's top female player for the previous campaign.

She was 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 Professional Footballers' Association and the European season's best XIs.

Her thoughts on personal development 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 that's something that I can always control.

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, it requires precision and there are so many fine margins. I continue to develop. Our staff is excellent 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 comfortable you become."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

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

"I remember 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. 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 team, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"You're playing against the best teams 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 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 aimed to achieve.

"Obviously playing against a team like Barcelona, you must accept not having the ball because their skill is exceptional. When they do have the ball, they don't give it away frequently.

"We as athletes in the high press and out of possession, we were really focused on our job at hand. It was a lot of running 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."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I got the pleasure of seeing her play a few times with my dad. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. I hope that she could have played longer and she was active today, but she was one of the best ever.

"I believe those who teamed up with her would say the same thing and I didn't have the chance of doing that. But observing her play was something that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo notched twelve goals in 21 games in the WSL last season to divide the Golden Boot.

She was not just one of the deadliest players in the competition but Russo was also a constant threat in the box throughout the campaign, taking more shots (seventy-three) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than all her peers.

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

Team-mate Mariona Caldentey regularly played progressive passes into her, so strong hold-up play was necessary.

Russo's ability to drop deep, creating space from her nearby marker through quick, incisive runs was notable.

If a defender got too close, Russo used her body well to win free-kicks, helping her team secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the European tournament the prior year, no player was drawn more fouls than the forward (15).

When the play settles, her control are extremely efficient. Her frequent scanning of her surroundings means she remains aware of where opponents are.

She uses few contacts on the ball, moving it clear from defenders marking closely, before locating nearby team-mates positioned facing towards the goal.

By retaining the ball in difficult scenarios, Russo is often capable to act as an outlet for her team under pressure.

She can turn difficult passes into extended spells of controlled play and such phases in the opponent's final third result in scores, many of which she finishes personally.