Female Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

Years Old: 26 Playing Role: Forward Teams: The Gunners and the English national team

The talented forward made history with Arsenal as they became the pioneering English team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in the 2000s, and also helped guide England to the successful retention of their European Championship title.

Russo found the net in the European Championship showpiece match and hit top form for her team, making significant contributions throughout the season in front of goal and with her work off the ball.

The forward was named the FWA's women's footballer of the year for the previous campaign.

She was the Women's Super League's co-leading goalscorer, earning a share of the top scorer award with her rival striker.

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

She was also nominated for the prestigious individual award and selected in the Professional Footballers' Association and the European teams of the year.

Russo on how she feels she has improved over the past year:

"I play my best football when I'm having fun and I'm confident my efforts in practice 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 tiny differences. I continue to develop. We have great coaches here at the club. There are top teammates to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the important matches arrive, the more you do them, the more comfortable you become."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The whole tournament 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 you've got to turn it around quickly. It moves so fast.

"In my view the way that we won throughout that whole tournament was just determination and toughness. And we were aware 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 occasionally 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 so calm, 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 team like Barcelona, you must accept not possessing the ball because their skill is exceptional. When in possession, they don't give it away that often.

"As players in the high press and out of possession, we were really focused on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement and a lot of defensive work. But ultimately that's what got the job done. In my opinion you have to be OK winning games like that as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

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

"I believe those who teamed up with her would agree and I never got the pleasure of doing that. But watching her was someone that I greatly admired."

The striker scored twelve goals in 21 games in the WSL the previous campaign to divide the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the most clinical players in the league but she was also a constant threat in the penalty area all season long, taking more shots (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than all her peers.

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

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

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

If a marker got too close, Russo used her body well to win free-kicks, helping her team gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the Champions' League last season, nobody was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (15).

When the ball does stick, her control are extremely efficient. Her frequent scanning of her surroundings means she remains aware of where opponents are.

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from opposing players applying player-to-player pressure, before finding close colleagues positioned facing towards the goal.

By keeping possession in tough situations, Russo is regularly able to act as an outlet for her side in trouble.

She can turn difficult passes into extended spells of stable possession and these possessions in the opponent's final third lead to goals, several of these she ends up scoring herself.