Female Footballer of the Year Contender Russo

Age: 26 Position: Striker Clubs: Arsenal and the English national team

The talented forward created a legacy with her club as they became the pioneering British team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in the 2000s, and also played a key role in leading England to the successful retention of their European Championship title.

She scored in the European Championship showpiece match and hit top form for her team, making significant contributions all campaign long as an attacker and with her work off the ball.

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

Russo finished as the Women's Super League's co-leading goalscorer, earning a share of the top scorer award with Khadija Shaw.

She scored twelve WSL goals for Arsenal and provided assists for a couple more.

She was also nominated for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and selected in the PFA and the Uefa Champions League teams of the year.

Russo on how she feels she has improved over the previous season:

"My top performances come when I'm having fun and I know I'm training hard and completing my tasks, so those are aspects that are within my power.

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, it requires precision and there are so many fine margins. I'm always still learning. We have great coaches here at the club. There are top teammates to gain knowledge from 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 whole tournament was a total emotional ride. There were ups and downs. It tested us mentally. We were physically drained.

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

"In my view the way that we won during the event 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 elite athletes in the world and sometimes you have to win a little bit dirty."

On the Champions League 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 what it takes, and we knew that we trusted the strategy and what we wanted to do.

"Naturally playing against a side such as Barça, you've got to be comfortable not possessing the ball because they're so talented. When they do have the ball, they retain it frequently.

"We as athletes in the high press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement and a lot of defensive work. But ultimately 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 seeing her play a couple of occasions with my father. Seeing her for England, too, her talent was remarkable. I wish that she could have played longer and still be playing now, but she ranks among the greats.

"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 always used to love."

The striker scored twelve goals in 21 games in the WSL the previous campaign to divide the scoring award.

She was not just one of the most clinical players in the competition but she was also a constant threat in the penalty area all season long, attempting more efforts (seventy-three) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than all her peers.

Her capability to contribute to the team beyond scoring distinguishes her.

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

Russo's ability to drop deep, creating space from her nearby marker through sharp, darting movements stood out.

If a defender 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 the prior year, no player was drawn more fouls than the forward (fifteen).

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

She uses minimal touches on the ball, directing it away from opposing players marking closely, before finding close colleagues positioned facing towards the goal.

By retaining the ball in difficult scenarios, she is regularly able to act as an outlet for her side in trouble.

She is able convert tough balls into extended spells of controlled play and these possessions in the opponent's final third result in scores, many of which she ends up scoring herself.