Women's Footballer of the Year Contender Russo

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

The talented forward created a legacy with her club as they emerged as the pioneering British team to win the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in 2008, and also helped guide the Lionesses to the successful retention of their European Championship title.

She scored in the European Championship final and hit top form for her team, playing a crucial role all campaign long as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

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

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

Russo netted twelve WSL goals for Arsenal and provided assists for a further two.

She was also nominated for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and selected in the Professional Footballers' Association and the European season's best XIs.

Her thoughts on personal development over the past year:

"I play my best football when I'm enjoying myself and I know I'm training hard and I'm getting my work done, so those are aspects that are within my power.

"There's so many different aspects to a number nine position, it requires precision and there are tiny differences. I'm always still learning. Our staff is excellent here at Arsenal. I have great players to learn off as well. Then when the big games come around, the more you do them, the more comfortable you become."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The whole tournament was a total emotional ride. There were ups and downs. It tested us mentally. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I remember after the last-eight game, a lot of us were extremely sore and injured. 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 during the event was just determination and toughness. And I think that we knew that we had the squad, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"Facing the best teams in the world, the best players in the world and occasionally you have to win a little bit dirty."

On the Champions League final:

"The overriding feeling that I can remember from that entire occasion 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 strategy and what we aimed to achieve.

"Obviously 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 retain it that often.

"We as athletes in the press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement and plenty of defending. But ultimately that led to success. In my opinion you have to be content winning games like that as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I was fortunate of seeing her play a few times with my father. Seeing her for England, too, her talent was remarkable. I hope that her career lasted more and still be playing now, but she was one of the best ever.

"I think anyone that has played with Kelly would agree and I never got the pleasure of doing that. But watching her was someone that I always used to love."

The striker scored 12 goals in 21 games in the WSL last season to share the scoring award.

She was not just one of the most clinical players in the competition but she was also a constant threat in the penalty area throughout the campaign, taking more shots (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than any other player.

Russo's ability to aid the side beyond scoring sets her apart.

Fellow player Mariona Caldentey often delivered forward balls into her, so effective ball retention was essential.

Her skill to retreat into midfield, freeing herself from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements stood out.

If a marker got too close, she used her physicality to draw fouls, helping her team gain settled possession in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League the prior year, nobody was fouled more than the forward (fifteen).

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

She uses few contacts on the ball, directing it away from opposing players marking closely, before finding close colleagues positioned facing towards the goal.

By retaining the ball in tough situations, Russo is often capable to act as an release option for her team under pressure.

She can turn difficult passes into long periods of controlled play and such phases in the attacking zone lead to goals, several of these she finishes personally.