Women's Footballer of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

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

The talented forward created a legacy with her club as they emerged as the first English team to win the prestigious European competition 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 European Championship final and hit top form 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 Women's Super League's co-leading goalscorer, sharing the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

She scored 12 league goals for the club and set up for a couple more.

Her name was put forward for the prestigious individual award and named in the PFA and the European teams of the year.

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

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

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, it requires precision and there are tiny differences. I'm always still learning. Our staff is excellent here at the club. I have great players to learn off as well. Then when the important matches come around, the greater your experience, 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. We were physically drained.

"I recall 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 I think that we knew that we had the squad, we knew that we had what it takes.

"Facing the best teams in the world, the best players in the world and sometimes you have to grind out results."

On the Champions League final:

"The main emotion that stands out from that whole day was just being very composed, like we knew our preparation was complete, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we trusted the game plan and what we wanted to do.

"Naturally playing against a side such as Barça, you've got to be comfortable not possessing the ball because their skill is exceptional. When they do have the ball, they don't give it away frequently.

"As players 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 in the end that led to success. I think that you have to be OK securing victories in that manner as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I was fortunate of seeing her play a few times with my father. Watching her internationally, too, she was just incredible. I hope that her career lasted more and still be playing now, but she ranks among the greats.

"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 always used to love."

Alessia Russo notched 12 goals in 21 games in the Women's Super League last season to share the scoring award.

She was not just one of the deadliest players in the competition but Russo was also a persistent danger in the penalty area all season long, attempting more efforts (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than all her peers.

Her capability to aid the side beyond scoring sets her apart.

Fellow player Mariona Caldentey often delivered forward balls into Russo, so effective ball retention was essential.

Her skill to drop deep, freeing herself from her nearby marker through quick, incisive runs was notable.

If a defender got too close, she used her body well to draw fouls, assisting the side secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the Champions' League last season, no player was drawn more fouls than the Arsenal striker (fifteen).

When the ball does stick, Russo's touches are highly effective. Her regular awareness of her environment means she stays conscious of where opponents are.

She uses few contacts on the ball, directing it away from opposing players applying player-to-player pressure, before finding close colleagues positioned facing towards the goal.

By keeping possession in difficult scenarios, Russo is often capable to act as an release option for her team under pressure.

She is able convert tough balls into extended spells of stable possession and such phases in the opponent's final third result in scores, many of which she finishes personally.