Women's Footballer of the Year Contender Russo

Age: 26 Playing Role: Forward Teams: Arsenal and England

The talented forward created a legacy with Arsenal as they became the first British team to win the prestigious European competition since the Gunners did in the 2000s, and also played a key role in leading the Lionesses to the successful retention of their European Championship crown.

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

The forward 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 top scorer award with Khadija Shaw.

She scored twelve league goals for Arsenal and provided assists for a further two.

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

Her thoughts on personal development over the previous season:

"My top performances come when I'm having fun and I know my efforts in practice and I'm getting my work done, so those are aspects that are within my power.

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, it requires precision and there are tiny differences. I continue to develop. Our staff is excellent here at Arsenal. I have great players to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the important matches come around, 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 tested us mentally. We were physically drained.

"I recall after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, many players were extremely sore and injured. The pressure was immense. But recovery had to be swift. It moves so fast.

"In my view 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.

"You're playing against the top sides in the world, the best players in the world and occasionally you have to grind out results."

On the Champions League final:

"The main emotion that stands out from that entire occasion was just being very composed, like we were confident our preparation was complete, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we believed in the game plan and what we aimed to achieve.

"Obviously playing against a team like Barcelona, you must accept not possessing the ball because they're so talented. When they do have the ball, they retain it that often.

"We as athletes in the high press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. It was a lot of running and a lot of defensive work. But ultimately that led to success. In my opinion you have to be OK securing victories in that manner as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I got the pleasure of seeing her play a couple of occasions with my dad. Watching her internationally, too, she was just incredible. 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 never got the pleasure of doing that. But observing her play was someone that I always used to love."

The striker notched 12 goals in 21 games in the Women's Super League the previous campaign to share the Golden Boot.

She was not just one of the most clinical players in the league but Russo was also a constant threat in the penalty area throughout the campaign, taking more shots (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than any other player.

Her capability to aid the side outside of her goals sets her apart.

Fellow player a teammate often delivered forward balls into Russo, so effective ball retention was necessary.

Russo's ability to drop deep, freeing herself from her opposing defender through quick, incisive runs was notable.

If a defender got too close, Russo used her physicality to win free-kicks, assisting the side secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the European tournament the prior year, nobody was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (15).

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

She uses few contacts on the ball, directing it away from defenders applying player-to-player pressure, before locating nearby team-mates positioned facing towards the goal.

By keeping possession in tough situations, she is regularly able to act as an release option for her side in trouble.

She can turn difficult passes into extended spells of stable possession and these possessions in the opponent's final third result in scores, several of these she ends up scoring herself.