Female Soccer Player of the Year Contender Alessia Russo

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

Alessia Russo created a legacy with Arsenal as they became the pioneering British team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the North London side did in the 2000s, and also played a key role in leading England to the successful retention of their European Championship crown.

Russo found the net 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 FWA's top female player for the previous campaign.

Russo finished as the WSL's co-leading goalscorer, earning a share of the top scorer award with her rival striker.

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

Her name was put forward for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and named in the Professional Footballers' Association and the European teams of the year.

Her thoughts on personal development over the previous season:

"I play my best football when I'm having fun and I'm confident I'm training hard and completing my tasks, so those are aspects that I can always control.

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, it's so detailed and there are tiny differences. I'm always still learning. Our staff is excellent 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 you get used to them."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The entire competition was a total emotional ride. It was highs and lows. It tested us mentally. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I remember after the last-eight game, a lot of us were really, really battered and bruised. It was so intense. 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 I think that we knew that we had the squad, we knew that we had what it takes.

"You're playing against the best teams in the world, the elite athletes in the world and sometimes you have to grind out results."

Discussing the European final:

"The overriding feeling that I can remember from that whole day was just being so calm, like we were confident we'd done the work, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we trusted the strategy and what we aimed to achieve.

"Obviously playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not possessing the ball because they're so talented. When in possession, they retain it that often.

"As players in the high press and defensively, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement and plenty of defending. But ultimately that's what got the job done. I think that 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 dad. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. I hope that she could have played longer and she was active today, but she ranks among the greats.

"I believe those who teamed up with her would say the same thing and I never got the pleasure of doing that. But watching her was someone that I always used to love."

Alessia Russo scored twelve goals in 21 games in the WSL the previous campaign to divide the scoring award.

She was not just one of the most clinical players in the league but Russo was also a persistent danger in the penalty area throughout the campaign, taking more shots (seventy-three) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than all her peers.

Her capability to contribute to the team beyond scoring sets her apart.

Fellow player Mariona Caldentey often delivered progressive passes into Russo, so strong hold-up play was essential.

Russo's ability to retreat into midfield, freeing herself from her nearby marker through quick, incisive runs stood out.

If a defender got too close, Russo used her physicality to draw fouls, helping her team gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the European tournament the prior year, nobody was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (15).

When the play settles, her control are highly effective. Her frequent scanning of her surroundings means she stays conscious of where opponents are.

She uses minimal touches on the ball, directing it away from defenders marking closely, before finding nearby team-mates oriented forward.

By keeping possession in difficult scenarios, Russo is often capable to act as an outlet for her side in trouble.

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