Female Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Russo

Years Old: 26 Playing Role: Forward Teams: The Gunners and England

The talented forward made history with her club as they emerged as the pioneering British team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the Gunners did in the 2000s, and also played a key role in leading England to the defence of their continental crown.

Russo found the net in the European Championship showpiece match and found her groove for her team, making significant contributions all campaign long as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

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

She was the Women's Super League's joint top scorer, earning a share of the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

She scored twelve league goals for the club and set up for a couple more.

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

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

"I play my best football 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.

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, it requires precision and there are tiny differences. I continue to develop. We have great coaches here at the club. There are top teammates to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the important matches come around, the more you do them, the more comfortable you become."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

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

"I remember after the last-eight game, many players were really, really battered and bruised. It was so intense. 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 grit and resilience. And we were aware that we had the team, we knew that we had what it takes.

"Facing the top sides in the world, the best players in the world and sometimes you have to grind out results."

On the Champions League final:

"The main emotion that I can remember from that entire occasion was just being so calm, like we were confident we'd done the work, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we trusted the strategy and what we aimed to achieve.

"Obviously playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not possessing the ball because they're so talented. When they do have the ball, they don't give it away that often.

"We as athletes in the high press and defensively, 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."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I got the pleasure of seeing her play a few times with my dad. Watching her internationally, too, she was just incredible. I wish that her career lasted more and still be playing now, but she ranks among the greats.

"I think those who teamed up with her would say the same thing and I never got the pleasure of experiencing that. But watching her was someone that I greatly admired."

The striker scored twelve goals in 21 games in the WSL the previous campaign to share the Golden Boot.

Not only was she one of the most clinical players in the league but Russo was also a persistent danger in the box 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 outside of her goals distinguishes her.

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

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

If a defender got too close, she used her physicality to win free-kicks, assisting the side secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the Champions' League last season, nobody was drawn more fouls than the forward (15).

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

She uses minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from opposing players marking closely, before locating close colleagues oriented forward.

By retaining the ball in tough situations, Russo is regularly able to act as an release option 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, many of which she finishes personally.