Women's Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Russo

Age: 26 Position: Forward Teams: The Gunners and the English national team

Alessia Russo made history with Arsenal as they emerged as the first English team to win the prestigious European competition since the Gunners did in 2008, and also played a key role in leading the Lionesses 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 club, making significant contributions all campaign long as an attacker and with her work off the ball.

The forward was honored as the Football Writers' Association's women's footballer of the year for the previous campaign.

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

Russo netted 12 WSL goals for Arsenal and set up for a further two.

Her name was put forward for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and selected in the PFA and the Uefa Champions League 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 are within my power.

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, it's so detailed and there are so many fine margins. I'm always still learning. 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 you get used to them."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The entire competition 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. It moves so fast.

"I think the way that we won during the event was just determination and toughness. And we were aware that we had the team, we knew that we had what it takes.

"Facing the top sides in the world, the best players in the world and sometimes you have to grind out results."

Discussing the European final:

"The overriding feeling that stands out from that whole day was just being very composed, like we were confident our preparation was complete, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we believed in 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 they do have the ball, they retain it that often.

"We as athletes in the press and defensively, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. It was a lot of running and plenty of defending. But in the end that's what got the job done. I think that 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 watching her a couple of occasions with my father. Seeing her for England, too, her talent was remarkable. I wish that her career lasted more and she was active today, but she was one of the best ever.

"I think those who teamed up with her would say the same thing and I didn't have the chance of experiencing that. But watching her was something that I greatly admired."

Alessia Russo notched 12 goals in twenty-one games in the WSL last season to divide the scoring award.

She was not just one of the deadliest players in the league but Russo was also a constant threat in the box throughout the campaign, taking more shots (seventy-three) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than any other player.

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

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

Her skill to drop deep, creating space from her opposing defender through quick, incisive runs stood out.

If a defender got in tight, she used her body well to draw fouls, assisting the side secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the Champions' League last season, nobody was fouled more than the forward (15).

When the ball does stick, her control are highly effective. Her regular awareness of her surroundings means she stays conscious of where rivals are.

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, directing it away from opposing players marking closely, before locating nearby team-mates positioned facing towards the goal.

By keeping possession in tough situations, Russo is often capable to act as an outlet for her team under pressure.

She can convert tough balls into long periods of controlled play and these possessions in the opponent's final third result in scores, many of which she ends up scoring herself.