Women's Footballer of the Year Candidate Russo

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

The talented forward created a legacy with her club as they emerged as the pioneering British team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in 2008, and also helped guide England to the successful retention of their European Championship title.

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

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

Russo finished as the WSL's joint top scorer, earning a share of the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

She scored 12 league 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 European season's best XIs.

Her thoughts on personal development over the past year:

"My top performances come when I'm having fun and I know my efforts in practice and I'm getting my work done, so that's something that I can always control.

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, it's so detailed and there are so many fine margins. I'm always still learning. Our staff is excellent here at the club. There are top teammates to learn off as well. Then when the important matches arrive, the greater your experience, the more you get used to them."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The whole tournament was a complete rollercoaster. There were ups and downs. It was emotionally really hard. We were physically drained.

"I remember after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, a lot of us were really, really battered and bruised. It was so intense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. It moves so fast.

"I think the way that we won during the event was just grit and resilience. And I think that we knew that we had the squad, we knew that we had what it takes.

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

Discussing the European final:

"The overriding feeling that stands out from that entire occasion was just being very composed, like we knew our preparation was complete, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we believed in the strategy and what we aimed to achieve.

"Naturally playing against a team like Barcelona, you've got to be comfortable not having the ball because their skill is exceptional. When they do have the ball, they don't give it away that often.

"As players in the high press and out of possession, we were really focused 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. 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 seeing her play a couple of occasions with my father. Seeing her for England, too, her talent was remarkable. I hope that her career lasted more and she was active today, but she ranks among the greats.

"I think anyone that has played with Kelly would agree and I didn't have the chance of experiencing that. But observing her play was someone that I greatly admired."

The striker notched twelve goals in 21 games in the Women's Super League the previous campaign to share the scoring award.

She was not just one of the deadliest players in the league but she was also a constant threat in the penalty area throughout the campaign, taking more shots (73) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than any other player.

Russo's ability to aid the side beyond scoring sets her apart.

Team-mate a teammate often delivered progressive passes into Russo, so strong hold-up play was necessary.

Her skill to retreat into midfield, creating space from her opposing defender through quick, incisive runs stood out.

If a marker got too close, Russo used her body well to draw fouls, assisting the side gain settled possession in the enemy territory. In the European tournament last season, nobody was drawn more fouls than the forward (15).

When the play settles, Russo's touches are highly effective. Her frequent scanning of her surroundings means she stays conscious of where rivals are.

Russo takes few contacts on the ball, moving it clear from defenders marking closely, before locating close colleagues oriented forward.

By retaining the ball in difficult scenarios, she is often capable to act as an release option for her team under pressure.

She is able turn difficult passes into long periods of controlled play and these possessions in the opponent's final third lead to goals, many of which she ends up scoring herself.