Female Footballer of the Year Contender Russo

Years Old: 26 Position: Striker Teams: Arsenal and the English national team

The talented forward created a legacy with Arsenal as they became the first English team to win the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in 2008, and also played a key role in leading the Lionesses to the successful retention of their European Championship crown.

She scored in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and hit top form for her team, playing a crucial role throughout the season in front of goal and with her work off the ball.

Russo was named the FWA's women's footballer of the year for last season.

She was the Women's Super League's joint top scorer, sharing the Golden Boot with Khadija Shaw.

Russo netted 12 league goals for Arsenal and provided assists for a couple more.

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

Russo on how she feels she has improved over the previous season:

"My top performances come when I'm enjoying myself and I'm confident my efforts in practice and I'm getting my work done, so those are aspects that are within my power.

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, it requires precision and there are so many fine margins. I'm always still learning. We have great coaches here at the club. I have great players to learn off as well. Then when the important matches arrive, the more you do them, the more comfortable you become."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The whole tournament was a complete rollercoaster. There were ups and downs. It was emotionally really hard. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I recall after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, a lot of us were extremely sore and injured. The pressure was immense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. The schedule is relentless.

"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 team, we knew that we had what it takes.

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

On the Champions League final:

"The main emotion 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 what it takes, and we knew that we believed in the game plan and what we wanted to do.

"Naturally playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept 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 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 content securing victories in that manner as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I got the pleasure of seeing her play a few times with my father. Watching her internationally, too, she was just incredible. I wish that she could have played longer 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 observing her play was something that I always used to love."

The striker notched twelve goals in twenty-one games in the Women's Super League last season to divide the Golden Boot.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the league but she was also a persistent danger in the box all season long, taking more shots (seventy-three) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than any other player.

Her capability to contribute to the team outside of her goals sets her apart.

Fellow player a teammate often delivered forward balls into her, so strong hold-up play was essential.

Russo's ability to retreat into midfield, freeing herself from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements was notable.

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 European tournament the prior year, no player was fouled more than the forward (fifteen).

When the play settles, Russo's touches are extremely efficient. Her regular awareness of her surroundings means she stays conscious of where opponents are.

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

By retaining the ball in tough situations, Russo is often capable to act as an outlet for her side in trouble.

She can convert tough balls into extended spells of controlled play and such phases in the attacking zone lead to goals, many of which she finishes personally.