Female Soccer Player of the Year Contender Russo

Age: 26 Playing Role: Forward Clubs: The Gunners and England

The talented forward made history with her club as they became the first English team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in 2008, and also helped guide the Lionesses to the defence of their European Championship crown.

She scored in the Euro 2025 final and hit top form for her club, making significant contributions all campaign long in front of goal and with her defensive efforts.

Russo was named the Football Writers' Association's women's footballer of the year for the previous campaign.

Russo finished as the Women's Super League's co-leading goalscorer, sharing the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

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

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

Russo on how she feels she has improved over the past year:

"I play my best football when I'm having fun and I'm confident my efforts in practice and completing my tasks, so those are aspects that are within my power.

"There's so many different aspects to a striker's role, it requires precision and there are tiny differences. I'm always still learning. We have great coaches here at Arsenal. I have great players to learn off as well. Then when the big games arrive, the more you do them, the more you get used to them."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The entire competition was a total emotional ride. It was highs and lows. It tested us mentally. We were physically drained.

"I recall after the last-eight 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.

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

Discussing the European final:

"The main emotion that stands out from that entire occasion was just being very composed, like we were confident we'd done the work, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we believed in the strategy and what we aimed to achieve.

"Naturally playing against a team like Barcelona, you've got to be comfortable not having the ball because they're so talented. When in possession, they don't give it away frequently.

"As players in the high press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement and plenty of defending. But in the end that's what got the job done. I think that you have to be OK securing victories in that manner as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I got the pleasure of watching her a couple of occasions with my father. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. I hope that her career lasted more and still be playing now, but she was one of the best ever.

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

The striker scored twelve goals in twenty-one games in the WSL last season to divide the Golden Boot.

She was not just one of the deadliest players in the league but she was also a constant threat in the penalty area throughout the campaign, taking more shots (73) and recording a superior xG (nine point seven) than all her peers.

Russo's ability to contribute to the team outside of her goals distinguishes her.

Team-mate a teammate often delivered forward balls into her, so effective ball retention was essential.

Russo's ability 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 body well to draw fouls, assisting the side gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the European tournament the prior year, no player was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (fifteen).

When the play settles, Russo's touches are highly effective. Her regular awareness of her environment means she remains aware of where opponents are.

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from defenders applying player-to-player pressure, before locating close colleagues oriented forward.

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

She is able convert tough balls into long periods of controlled play and these possessions in the attacking zone result in scores, many of which she ends up scoring herself.