Women's Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Russo

Years Old: 26 Playing Role: Striker Clubs: Arsenal and England

The talented forward made history with Arsenal as they emerged as the first British team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in the 2000s, and also played a key role in leading England to the successful retention of their European Championship crown.

She scored in the Euro 2025 final and hit top form for her team, making significant contributions throughout the season as an attacker and with her work off the ball.

Russo was honored as the FWA's top female player for the previous campaign.

Russo finished as the Women's Super League's joint top scorer, sharing the Golden Boot with Khadija Shaw.

Russo netted twelve WSL goals for Arsenal and provided assists for a further two.

Her name was put forward for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and selected in the PFA and the Uefa Champions League teams of the year.

Her thoughts on personal development over the past year:

"I play my best football when I'm having fun and I'm confident I'm training hard and I'm getting my work done, so that's something that I can always control.

"There's so many different aspects to a striker's role, it's so detailed and there are tiny differences. I'm always still learning. Our staff is excellent here at Arsenal. I have great players to learn off as well. Then when the big games arrive, the greater your experience, the more you get used to them."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The entire competition was a total emotional ride. There were ups and downs. It tested us mentally. It was taxing on our bodies.

"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. It moves so fast.

"I think the way that we won throughout that whole tournament was just determination and toughness. And we were aware that we had the squad, we knew that we had what it takes.

"Facing the best teams 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 so calm, like we knew we'd done the work, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we trusted the strategy and what we wanted to do.

"Obviously playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not having 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 defensively, we were really focused on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement and plenty of defending. But ultimately that led to success. 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 seeing her play a few times with my father. Watching her internationally, too, her talent was remarkable. I wish that her career lasted more and still be playing now, but she was one of the best ever.

"I believe anyone that has played with Kelly would agree and I didn't have the chance of experiencing that. But observing her play was something that I greatly admired."

The striker notched twelve goals in twenty-one games in the Women's Super League the previous campaign to share the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the most clinical players in the league but she was also a persistent danger in the box all season long, taking more shots (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than all her peers.

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

Team-mate a teammate regularly played forward balls into Russo, so strong hold-up play was essential.

Russo's ability to retreat into midfield, creating space from her nearby marker through sharp, darting movements stood out.

If a marker got in tight, she used her physicality to win free-kicks, helping her team secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the European tournament last season, no player was drawn more fouls than the forward (15).

When the ball does stick, her control are highly effective. Her frequent scanning of her surroundings means she remains aware of where rivals are.

Russo takes few contacts on the ball, directing it away from defenders applying player-to-player pressure, before locating close colleagues positioned facing towards the goal.

By keeping possession in difficult scenarios, she is regularly able to act as an outlet for her team under pressure.

She is able convert tough balls into extended spells of stable possession and such phases in the attacking zone result in scores, many of which she finishes personally.