Female Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

Age: 26 Position: Striker Clubs: Arsenal and England

The talented forward made history with Arsenal as they emerged as the first British team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in 2008, and also played a key role in leading the Lionesses to the defence of their European Championship crown.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 final and found her groove for her club, playing a crucial role throughout the season as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

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

Russo finished as the Women's Super League's co-leading goalscorer, earning a share of the top scorer award with Khadija Shaw.

She scored twelve league goals for Arsenal and provided assists for a couple more.

Her name was put forward for the prestigious individual award and named in the PFA and the Uefa Champions League season's best XIs.

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

"I play my best football when I'm enjoying myself and I'm confident my efforts in practice and completing my tasks, so that's something 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. We have great coaches here at the club. There are top teammates to learn off as well. Then when the big games come around, the greater your experience, the more comfortable you become."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The entire competition was a complete rollercoaster. There were ups and downs. It tested us mentally. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I recall after the last-eight game, a lot of us were extremely sore and injured. The pressure was immense. But recovery had to be swift. It moves so fast.

"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.

"Facing the best teams in the world, the elite athletes in the world and sometimes you have to win a little bit dirty."

On the Champions League final:

"The overriding feeling that I can remember from that entire occasion was just being very composed, like we knew our preparation was complete, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we believed in the game plan and what we aimed to achieve.

"Naturally playing against a side such as Barça, 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 highly concentrated 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 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 father. Watching her internationally, too, she was just incredible. I hope that her career lasted more and she was active today, but she was one of the best ever.

"I believe anyone that has played with Kelly would say the same thing and I didn't have the chance of doing that. But watching her was something that I always used to love."

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

She was not just one of the most clinical players in the league but Russo was also a constant threat in the box throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (seventy-three) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than all her peers.

Russo's ability to contribute to the team outside of her goals sets her apart.

Team-mate Mariona Caldentey regularly played forward balls into her, so strong hold-up play was essential.

Russo's ability to drop deep, creating space from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements was notable.

If a defender got in tight, she used her physicality to draw fouls, helping her team gain settled possession in the enemy territory. In the European tournament last season, no player was drawn more fouls than the Arsenal striker (15).

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

She uses minimal touches on the ball, directing it away from defenders marking closely, 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 outlet for her side in trouble.

She can convert tough balls into long periods of controlled play and such phases in the opponent's final third lead to goals, several of these she finishes personally.