Women's Footballer of the Year Candidate Russo

Age: 26 Playing Role: Forward Clubs: Arsenal and the English national team

The talented forward made history with Arsenal as they emerged as the pioneering British team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the Gunners did in 2008, and also played a key role in leading the Lionesses to the defence of their continental title.

She scored in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and found her groove for her club, playing a crucial role throughout the season as an attacker and with her work off the ball.

The forward was named the FWA's top female player for last season.

Russo finished as the Women's Super League's joint top scorer, sharing the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

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

She was also nominated for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and named in the PFA and the European teams of the year.

Her thoughts on personal development over the past year:

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

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, it's so detailed and there are tiny differences. I continue to develop. Our staff is excellent here at the club. There are top teammates to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the big games arrive, the greater your experience, the more comfortable you become."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The entire competition was a total emotional ride. It was highs and lows. It was emotionally really hard. We were physically drained.

"I recall after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, a lot of us were extremely sore and injured. 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 I think that we knew that we had the squad, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"You're playing against the best teams in the world, the elite athletes in the world and occasionally you have to win a little bit dirty."

On the Champions League final:

"The overriding feeling that stands out from that entire occasion was just being very composed, like we knew we'd done the work, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we trusted the game plan and what we aimed to achieve.

"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.

"As players in the press and defensively, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. It was a lot of running and a lot of defensive work. But ultimately that's what got the job done. In my opinion you have to be content securing victories in that manner as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I was fortunate of seeing her play 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 was one of the best ever.

"I think anyone that has played with Kelly would say the same thing and I didn't have the chance of experiencing that. But observing her play was something that I always used to love."

The striker notched 12 goals in twenty-one games in the WSL last season to share the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the most clinical players in the league but Russo was also a constant threat in the box throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (seventy-three) and recording a superior xG (nine point seven) than any other player.

Russo's ability to contribute to the team beyond scoring sets her apart.

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

Her skill to drop deep, freeing herself from her nearby marker through sharp, darting movements was notable.

If a defender got in tight, she used her physicality to draw fouls, assisting the side gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the European tournament last season, no player was drawn more fouls than the Arsenal striker (15).

When the play settles, her control are extremely efficient. Her frequent scanning of her surroundings means she stays conscious of where opponents are.

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from opposing players marking closely, 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 side in trouble.

She is able convert tough balls into long periods of controlled play and such phases in the attacking zone result in scores, several of these she finishes personally.