Female Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Russo

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

The talented forward made history with Arsenal as they became the first British team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the North London side did in 2008, and also helped guide England to the successful retention of their European Championship crown.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 final and found her groove for her team, making significant contributions throughout the season in front of goal and with her work off the ball.

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

Russo finished as 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 set up for a couple more.

She was also nominated for the prestigious individual award and named in the PFA and the Uefa Champions League teams of the year.

Her thoughts on personal development over the past year:

"My top performances come 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.

"There's so many different aspects to a number nine position, it's so detailed and there are tiny differences. I continue to develop. We have great coaches here at Arsenal. I have great players to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the big games come around, the greater your experience, the more comfortable you become."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The whole tournament 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. 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 during the event was just grit and resilience. And I think that we knew that we had the squad, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"Facing the top sides in the world, the elite athletes in the world and sometimes you have to win a little bit dirty."

On the Champions League final:

"The overriding feeling that stands out from that entire occasion 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 strategy and what we wanted to do.

"Obviously playing against a team like Barcelona, you've got to be comfortable not having the ball because their skill is exceptional. When in possession, they retain it that often.

"We as athletes in the press and defensively, we were really focused on our job at hand. There was extensive movement and plenty of defending. But in the end that led to success. I think that you have to be content winning games like that as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I got the pleasure 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 ranks among the greats.

"I believe anyone that has played with Kelly would say the same thing and I never got the pleasure of experiencing that. But watching her was someone that I always used to love."

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

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the competition but Russo was also a persistent danger in the penalty area all season long, attempting more efforts (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than any other player.

Russo's ability to contribute to the team beyond scoring distinguishes her.

Fellow player Mariona Caldentey regularly played progressive passes into Russo, so effective ball retention was necessary.

Her skill to drop deep, freeing herself from her nearby marker through quick, incisive runs was notable.

If a defender got too close, she used her body well to win free-kicks, assisting the side secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the European tournament the prior year, nobody was fouled more than the forward (fifteen).

When the ball does stick, her control are highly effective. Her frequent scanning of her environment means she stays conscious of where rivals are.

Russo takes few contacts on the ball, directing it away from opposing players marking closely, before locating nearby team-mates oriented forward.

By keeping possession in tough situations, Russo is regularly able to act as an outlet for her side in trouble.

She is able convert tough balls into long periods of controlled play and these possessions in the attacking zone result in scores, several of these she finishes personally.