Female Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

Age: 26 Playing Role: Striker Clubs: Arsenal and the English national team

The talented forward made history with her club 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 England to the successful retention of their European Championship crown.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 final and hit top form for her team, playing a crucial role all campaign long as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

The forward was named the Football Writers' Association's top female player for last season.

She was the Women's Super League's joint top scorer, sharing the Golden Boot with Khadija Shaw.

Russo netted twelve WSL goals for Arsenal and provided assists for a couple more.

Her name was put forward for the prestigious individual award and selected in the Professional Footballers' Association 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 enjoying myself and I'm confident my efforts in practice and I'm getting my work done, so those are aspects that are within my power.

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, it's so detailed and there are tiny differences. I continue to develop. Our staff is excellent here at the club. There are top teammates to learn off as well. Then when the big games arrive, the greater your experience, the more comfortable you become."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The whole tournament was a complete rollercoaster. It was highs and lows. It was emotionally really hard. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I recall after the last-eight game, many players were extremely sore and injured. It was so intense. But recovery had to be swift. The schedule is relentless.

"In my view 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 the necessary qualities.

"You're playing against the top sides in the world, the elite athletes in the world and occasionally you have to grind out results."

Discussing the European final:

"The overriding feeling that stands out from that entire occasion was just being very composed, like we were confident our preparation was complete, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we believed in the strategy and what we wanted to do.

"Obviously playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not having the ball because they're so talented. 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 really focused on our job at hand. There was extensive movement and plenty of defending. But in the end that's what got the job done. I think that you have to be content 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 dad. Watching her internationally, too, her talent was remarkable. I hope that she could have played longer and she was active today, but she was one of the best ever.

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

The striker scored 12 goals in 21 games in the Women's Super League last season to divide the Golden Boot.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the competition but Russo was also a persistent danger in the box throughout the campaign, taking more shots (73) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than any other player.

Her capability to contribute to the team outside of her goals sets her apart.

Team-mate Mariona Caldentey regularly played forward balls into Russo, so effective ball retention was essential.

Her skill to retreat into midfield, freeing herself from her opposing defender through quick, incisive runs was notable.

If a marker got in tight, she used her physicality to draw fouls, assisting the side gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the Champions' League the prior year, nobody was fouled more than the forward (15).

When the ball does stick, Russo's touches are highly effective. Her frequent scanning of her environment means she stays conscious of where rivals are.

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

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

She can convert tough balls into long periods of stable possession and these possessions in the attacking zone lead to goals, many of which she finishes personally.