Female Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

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

The talented forward created a legacy 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 the 2000s, and also helped guide the Lionesses to the successful retention of their continental title.

She scored in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and hit top form for her club, making significant contributions throughout the season as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

Russo was named the Football Writers' Association's women's footballer of the year for the previous campaign.

Russo finished as the WSL's joint top scorer, earning a share of the Golden Boot with Khadija Shaw.

Russo netted twelve league goals for the club and provided assists for a further two.

She was also nominated for the prestigious individual award and named in the PFA and the European teams of the year.

Her thoughts on personal development over the past year:

"I play my best football when I'm enjoying myself and I'm confident I'm training hard and I'm getting my work done, so those are aspects that I can always control.

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, 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 gain knowledge from as well. Then when the important matches come around, the more you do them, the more comfortable you become."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The entire competition was a complete rollercoaster. It was highs and lows. It was emotionally really hard. We were physically drained.

"I remember after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, a lot of us were really, really battered and bruised. The pressure was immense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. The schedule is relentless.

"I think the way that we won during the event was just grit and resilience. And I think that we knew that we had the squad, we knew that we had what it takes.

"You're playing against the top sides in the world, the best players in the world and occasionally you have to win a little bit dirty."

Discussing the European final:

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

"Naturally playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not possessing the ball because their skill is exceptional. When in possession, they retain it frequently.

"We as athletes in the press and defensively, we were really focused on our assigned tasks. It was a lot of running and plenty of defending. But ultimately that led to success. I think that 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 couple of occasions with my father. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. I wish that she could have played longer and still be playing now, but she was one of the best ever.

"I think anyone that has played with Kelly would agree and I didn't have the chance of experiencing that. But watching her was someone that I greatly admired."

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

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the competition but she was also a constant threat in the box all season long, attempting more efforts (seventy-three) and recording a superior xG (nine point seven) than any other player.

Russo's ability to contribute to the team beyond scoring distinguishes her.

Team-mate Mariona Caldentey often delivered progressive passes into Russo, so strong hold-up play was necessary.

Russo's ability to retreat into midfield, creating space from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements was notable.

If a marker got in tight, Russo used her physicality to win free-kicks, assisting the side gain settled possession in the opponents' half. 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 environment means she remains aware of where rivals are.

She uses minimal touches 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, she is regularly able to act as an outlet for her side in trouble.

She is able convert tough balls into extended spells of controlled play and such phases in the attacking zone lead to goals, several of these she finishes personally.