Female Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Russo

Age: 26 Position: Forward Clubs: Arsenal and England

The talented forward created a legacy with Arsenal as they emerged as the pioneering English team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in 2008, and also helped guide England to the defence of their European Championship title.

She scored in the Euro 2025 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 FWA's women's footballer of the year for the previous campaign.

She was the WSL's joint top scorer, sharing the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

Russo netted twelve WSL goals for the club and set up for a couple more.

Her name was put forward for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and selected in the Professional Footballers' Association and the European season's best XIs.

Her thoughts on personal development over the previous season:

"I play my best football when I'm enjoying myself and I know I'm training hard and completing my tasks, so that's something that are within my power.

"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. There are top teammates to learn off as well. Then when the big games come around, the more you do them, the more comfortable you become."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

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

"I recall after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, a lot of us 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 top sides in the world, the best players in the world and occasionally you have to win a little bit dirty."

Discussing the European final:

"The main emotion that I can remember from that whole day was just being very composed, 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 aimed to achieve.

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

"We as athletes in the press and out of possession, we were really focused 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 winning games like that 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 dad. Watching her internationally, too, her talent was remarkable. I hope that she could have played longer and she was active today, but she ranks among the greats.

"I believe those who teamed up with her would say the same thing and I didn't have the chance of doing that. But observing her play was someone that I always used to love."

The striker notched 12 goals in twenty-one games in the WSL last season to divide the Golden Boot.

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

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

Fellow player Mariona Caldentey often delivered forward balls into her, so strong hold-up play was essential.

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

If a marker got in tight, she used her body well to draw fouls, assisting the side secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League last season, no player was drawn more fouls than the forward (15).

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

She uses few contacts on the ball, moving it clear from defenders marking closely, before locating nearby team-mates oriented forward.

By keeping possession in tough situations, Russo is often capable to act as an release option for her side in trouble.

She is able turn difficult passes into long periods of stable possession and such phases in the opponent's final third lead to goals, many of which she finishes personally.