Women's Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

Years Old: 26 Position: Forward Teams: Arsenal and the English national team

Alessia Russo created a legacy with her club as they emerged as the first British team to win the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in 2008, and also helped guide England to the defence of their European Championship title.

She scored in the European Championship showpiece match 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 Football Writers' Association's women's footballer of the year for last season.

She was the Women's Super League's co-leading goalscorer, sharing the top scorer award with Khadija Shaw.

Russo netted 12 WSL 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 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 I can always control.

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, it's so detailed and there are so many fine margins. I continue to develop. Our staff is excellent here at the club. There are top teammates to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the big games arrive, the more you do them, the more you get used to them."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The entire competition was a total emotional ride. It was highs and lows. 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 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 elite athletes in the world and sometimes you have to grind out results."

Discussing the European final:

"The overriding feeling that I can remember from that entire occasion was just being very composed, like we knew we'd done the work, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we trusted the strategy and what we aimed to achieve.

"Naturally playing against a team like Barcelona, you must accept not possessing the ball because their skill is exceptional. When in possession, they retain it frequently.

"As players in the high press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. It was a lot of running and a lot of defensive work. But in the end that led to success. I think that you have to be OK winning games like that as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I was fortunate of seeing her play a couple of occasions with my dad. Seeing her for England, too, her talent was remarkable. I hope that she could have played longer and still be playing now, but she ranks among the greats.

"I believe anyone that has played with Kelly would agree and I didn't have the chance of doing that. But observing her play was someone that I greatly admired."

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

Not only was she 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.

Her capability to contribute to the team beyond scoring sets her apart.

Fellow player a teammate regularly played forward balls into Russo, so effective ball retention was necessary.

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

If a defender got in tight, Russo used her body well to draw fouls, helping her team gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the European tournament the prior year, no player was fouled more than the forward (15).

When the ball does stick, Russo's touches are extremely efficient. Her regular awareness of her surroundings means she remains aware of where rivals are.

Russo takes few contacts on the ball, directing it away from defenders applying player-to-player pressure, before locating nearby team-mates oriented forward.

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

She is able convert tough balls into extended spells of stable possession and these possessions in the attacking zone lead to goals, many of which she ends up scoring herself.