Women's Soccer Player of the Year Contender Russo

Years Old: 26 Position: Striker Clubs: Arsenal and England

The talented forward made history with her club as they became the pioneering English team to win the prestigious European competition since the Gunners did in 2008, and also played a key role in leading England to the successful retention of their European Championship title.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and hit top form for her team, making significant contributions all campaign long in front of goal and with her work off the ball.

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

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

Russo netted 12 league goals for Arsenal and provided assists 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:

"My top performances come when I'm enjoying myself and I know I'm training hard and I'm getting my work done, so that's something that are within my power.

"There's so many different aspects to a number nine position, it's so detailed and there are so many fine margins. I'm always still learning. Our staff is excellent here at the club. I have great players to learn off as well. Then when the important matches come around, the greater your experience, the more you get used to them."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The entire competition was a complete rollercoaster. There were ups and downs. It tested us mentally. We were physically drained.

"I recall after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, many players were really, really battered and bruised. It was so intense. But recovery had to be swift. The schedule is relentless.

"In my view the way that we won throughout that whole tournament was just grit and resilience. And I think that we knew that we had the team, we knew that we had what it takes.

"You're playing against 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 I can remember 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 trusted the strategy and what we wanted to do.

"Obviously playing against a team like Barcelona, you've got to be comfortable not possessing the ball because they're so talented. When they do have the ball, they don't give it away frequently.

"We as athletes in the high press and out of possession, we were really focused 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. In my opinion you have to be OK winning games like that as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I was fortunate of watching her a few times with my dad. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. I wish that she could have played longer and still be playing now, but she ranks among the greats.

"I believe 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 always used to love."

The striker scored twelve goals in 21 games in the Women's Super League the previous campaign to divide the Golden Boot.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the competition but Russo was also a persistent danger in the box throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (seventy-three) and having a higher expected goals tally (nine point seven) than any other player.

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

Fellow player a teammate regularly played forward balls into her, so effective ball retention was essential.

Her skill to retreat into midfield, creating space from her nearby marker through sharp, darting movements was notable.

If a defender got too close, Russo used her physicality to draw fouls, helping her team secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League last season, no player was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (15).

When the ball does stick, her control 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 marking closely, before locating close colleagues positioned facing towards the goal.

By keeping possession in difficult scenarios, 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 these possessions in the opponent's final third lead to goals, several of these she finishes personally.