Female Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

Age: 26 Playing Role: Striker Teams: The Gunners and England

The talented forward made history with her club as they became the pioneering British team to win the Women's Champions League since the North London side did in 2008, and also played a key role in leading the Lionesses to the successful retention of their continental crown.

Russo found the net in the European Championship final and hit top form for her team, making significant contributions throughout the season in front of goal and with her defensive efforts.

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

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

She scored 12 league goals for the club and set up for a further two.

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:

"My top performances come when I'm enjoying myself and I'm confident my efforts in practice and completing my tasks, so that's something that I can always control.

"There's so many different aspects to a number nine position, it's so detailed 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 big games come around, the greater your experience, the more comfortable you become."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The entire competition was a total emotional ride. It was highs and lows. It tested us mentally. We were physically drained.

"I remember after the last-eight game, many players were extremely sore and injured. It was so intense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. It moves so fast.

"I think 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 top sides in the world, the elite athletes in the world and occasionally you have to win a little bit dirty."

On the Champions League final:

"The main emotion that stands out from that whole day 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 strategy and what we wanted to do.

"Naturally playing against a team like Barcelona, you must accept not having 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. I think that you have to be OK securing victories in that manner 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 father. Seeing her for England, too, her talent was remarkable. I hope that she could have played longer and she was active today, but she was one of the best ever.

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

Alessia Russo scored 12 goals in 21 games in the WSL the previous campaign to share the Golden Boot.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the competition but Russo was also a constant threat in the penalty area all season long, taking more shots (seventy-three) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than all her peers.

Russo's ability to aid the side outside of her goals sets her apart.

Fellow player a teammate regularly played progressive passes into her, so strong hold-up play was necessary.

Russo's ability to drop deep, freeing herself from her nearby marker through quick, incisive runs stood out.

If a defender got in tight, Russo used her body well to win free-kicks, helping her team gain settled possession in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League last season, no player was drawn more fouls than the forward (fifteen).

When the ball does stick, Russo's touches are extremely efficient. Her frequent scanning of her environment means she remains aware of where rivals are.

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

By keeping possession in difficult scenarios, she is regularly able to act as an outlet for her team under pressure.

She is able turn difficult passes into extended spells of stable possession and such phases in the attacking zone lead to goals, several of these she ends up scoring herself.