Women's Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Alessia Russo

Age: 26 Position: Striker Teams: Arsenal and the English national team

Alessia Russo created a legacy with her club as they emerged as the first English team to win the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in 2008, and also helped guide England to the defence of their continental title.

Russo found the net in the European Championship showpiece match and found her groove for her club, playing a crucial role all campaign long in front of goal and with her defensive efforts.

Russo was named the FWA's top female player for the previous campaign.

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

Russo netted twelve WSL goals for Arsenal and set up for a further two.

Her name was put forward for the prestigious individual award and named in the PFA 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 know I'm training hard and I'm getting my work done, so that's something that are within my power.

"Numerous elements 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. I have great players to learn off as well. Then when the big games arrive, the more you do them, the more you get used to them."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The whole tournament was a total emotional ride. There were ups and downs. It was emotionally really hard. We were physically drained.

"I recall after the last-eight 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.

"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 the necessary qualities.

"You're playing against the top sides in the world, the best players in the world and sometimes you have to grind out results."

On the Champions League final:

"The overriding feeling that stands out from that whole day was just being so calm, like we were confident our preparation was complete, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we believed in the strategy and what we aimed to achieve.

"Naturally playing against a team like Barcelona, you must accept not having the ball because they're so talented. When they do have the ball, they retain it frequently.

"We as athletes in the high press and defensively, we were really focused on our assigned tasks. It was a lot of running and a lot of defensive work. 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 got the pleasure of watching her a few times with my father. Watching her internationally, too, her talent was remarkable. I hope that she could have played longer and still be playing now, but she was one of the best ever.

"I believe those who teamed up with her would agree and I didn't have the chance of experiencing that. But observing her play was something that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo scored 12 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 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.

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

Fellow player a teammate often delivered forward balls into Russo, 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, she used her body well to win free-kicks, assisting the side gain settled possession in the enemy territory. In the European tournament last season, no player was drawn more fouls than the forward (15).

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

She uses minimal touches on the ball, directing it away from defenders applying player-to-player pressure, before locating close colleagues oriented forward.

By keeping possession in difficult scenarios, Russo is regularly able to act as an release option for her side in trouble.

She is able turn difficult passes into long periods of stable possession and these possessions in the attacking zone result in scores, many of which she finishes personally.