Female Footballer of the Year Candidate Russo

Age: 26 Playing Role: Striker Clubs: The Gunners and England

The talented forward created a legacy with her club as they emerged as the first English team to win the prestigious European competition since the Gunners did in 2008, and also helped guide England to the successful retention of their continental title.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 final and hit top form for her team, playing a crucial role throughout the season in front of goal and with her defensive efforts.

The forward was honored as the Football Writers' Association's top female player for the previous campaign.

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

Russo netted 12 WSL goals for Arsenal and set up for a further two.

Her name was put forward for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and selected in the Professional Footballers' Association 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 completing my tasks, so that's something that are within my power.

"Numerous elements to a number nine position, it's so detailed and there are tiny differences. I continue to develop. We have great coaches here at Arsenal. I have great players 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 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, 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 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 win a little bit dirty."

On the Champions League final:

"The overriding feeling that I can remember from that entire occasion 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 believed in 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 retain it frequently.

"As players in the high press and defensively, we were really focused on our job at hand. It was a lot of running and a lot of defensive work. But in the end that led to success. 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 was fortunate of seeing her play a couple of occasions with my father. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. 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 say the same thing and I didn't have the chance of doing that. But observing her play was someone that I greatly admired."

The striker notched twelve goals in twenty-one games in the Women's Super League the previous campaign to divide the Golden Boot.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the league but Russo was also a persistent danger in the box throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (73) and recording a superior xG (nine point seven) than any other player.

Russo's ability to contribute to the team outside of her goals distinguishes her.

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

Russo's ability to retreat into midfield, creating space from her nearby marker through quick, incisive runs was notable.

If a marker got too close, she used her physicality to win free-kicks, helping her team gain settled possession in the enemy territory. In the European tournament the prior year, no player was fouled more than the forward (15).

When the play settles, Russo's touches are extremely efficient. Her frequent scanning of her environment means she remains aware of where opponents are.

She uses few contacts on the ball, directing it away from opposing players applying player-to-player pressure, before locating nearby team-mates oriented forward.

By keeping possession in tough situations, Russo is often capable to act as an outlet for her team under pressure.

She is able convert tough balls into long periods of stable possession and such phases in the attacking zone lead to goals, many of which she ends up scoring herself.