Women's Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

Age: 26 Position: Striker Teams: The Gunners and England

The talented forward created a legacy with Arsenal as they emerged as the first British team to win the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in 2008, and also played a key role in leading England to the defence of their European Championship title.

She scored in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and hit top form for her team, playing a crucial role all campaign long as an attacker and with her work off the ball.

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

She was the Women's Super League's joint top scorer, earning a share of the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

She scored twelve WSL goals for Arsenal and set up for a couple more.

Her name was put forward for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and selected in the PFA and the European teams of the year.

Her thoughts on personal development over the previous season:

"My top performances come when I'm enjoying myself and I know I'm training hard and completing my tasks, so those are aspects that I can always control.

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, it's so detailed and there are tiny differences. I continue to develop. We have great coaches here at the club. I have great players to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the big games arrive, the more you do them, the more comfortable you become."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The entire competition was a complete rollercoaster. There were ups and downs. 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 throughout that whole tournament was just grit and resilience. And we were aware that we had the squad, we knew that we had what it takes.

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

Discussing the European final:

"The main emotion that stands out 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 believed in the strategy 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 their skill is exceptional. When they do have the ball, they don't give it away that often.

"We as athletes in the high press and defensively, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement 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 watching her a couple of occasions with my father. Watching her internationally, too, she was just incredible. I wish that her career lasted more and still be playing now, but she ranks among the greats.

"I think anyone that has played with Kelly would agree and I never got the pleasure of experiencing that. But watching her was something that I greatly admired."

The striker notched twelve goals in 21 games in the WSL last season to divide the Golden Boot.

Not only was she 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 (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than all her peers.

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

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

Her skill to drop deep, freeing herself from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements stood out.

If a marker got in tight, Russo used her physicality to draw fouls, assisting the side secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League last season, nobody was drawn more fouls than the forward (fifteen).

When the play settles, her control are highly effective. Her regular awareness of her environment means she remains aware of where rivals are.

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, directing it away from opposing players marking closely, before locating close colleagues oriented forward.

By retaining the ball in difficult scenarios, Russo is regularly able to act as an outlet for her side in trouble.

She is able turn difficult passes into long periods of controlled play and these possessions in the opponent's final third lead to goals, several of these she finishes personally.