Female Footballer of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

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

Alessia Russo created a legacy with Arsenal as they became the first English team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in 2008, and also played a key role in leading the Lionesses to the successful retention of their continental crown.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 final and found her groove for her team, making significant contributions throughout the season in front of goal and with her defensive efforts.

The forward was named the FWA's top female player for last season.

Russo finished as the WSL's joint top scorer, sharing the top scorer award with her rival striker.

She scored twelve league goals for the club and set up for a further two.

She was also nominated for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and selected in the PFA and the Uefa Champions League teams of the year.

Her thoughts on personal development over the past year:

"My top performances come when I'm having fun and I know I'm training hard and completing my tasks, so that's something that I can always control.

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, it requires precision and there are so many fine margins. I continue to develop. We have great coaches here at Arsenal. 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 complete rollercoaster. There were ups and downs. It was emotionally really hard. We were physically drained.

"I remember after the last-eight game, many players were really, really battered and bruised. The pressure was immense. But recovery had to be swift. The schedule is relentless.

"I think 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 believed in the strategy and what we wanted to do.

"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 don't give it away frequently.

"As players in the high press and defensively, we were really focused on our assigned tasks. 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 OK securing victories in that manner as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I got the pleasure of watching her a few times with my father. Watching her internationally, too, her talent was remarkable. I hope that she could have played longer and she was active today, but she ranks among the greats.

"I think anyone that has played with Kelly 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 scored twelve goals in 21 games in the WSL last season to share the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the league but she was also a constant threat in the box throughout the campaign, taking more shots (73) and recording a superior xG (nine point seven) than any other player.

Russo's ability to aid the side beyond scoring distinguishes her.

Team-mate a teammate regularly played progressive passes into her, so strong hold-up play was essential.

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

If a marker 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 drawn more fouls than the forward (15).

When the ball does stick, her control are highly effective. 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 applying player-to-player pressure, before locating close colleagues oriented forward.

By retaining the ball in tough situations, Russo is often capable to act as an release option for her side in trouble.

She can convert tough balls into long periods of controlled play and such phases in the attacking zone result in scores, many of which she finishes personally.