Female Footballer of the Year Contender Russo

Age: 26 Position: Forward Teams: The Gunners and England

The talented forward made history with Arsenal as they emerged as the pioneering English team to win the prestigious European competition since the Gunners did in the 2000s, and also helped guide the Lionesses to the defence of their European Championship title.

Russo found the net in the European Championship showpiece match and hit top form for her team, playing a crucial role throughout the season as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

Russo was named the Football Writers' Association's women's footballer of the year for last season.

She was the Women's Super League's joint top scorer, sharing the top scorer award with her rival striker.

She scored 12 WSL goals for the club and provided assists for a couple more.

Her name was put forward for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and named in the PFA and the Uefa Champions League season's best XIs.

Her thoughts on personal development over the past year:

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

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, it requires precision and there are tiny differences. I'm always still learning. We have great coaches here at the club. I have great players to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the important matches come around, 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 was emotionally really hard. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I remember 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 I think that we knew that we had the team, we knew that we had what it takes.

"You're playing against the top sides in the world, the elite athletes in the world and sometimes you have to grind out results."

On the Champions League final:

"The main emotion that I can remember from that whole day 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 trusted the strategy and what we aimed to achieve.

"Naturally playing against a side such as Barça, you've got to be comfortable not having the ball because their skill is exceptional. When in possession, they retain it that often.

"As players in the press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our job at hand. There was extensive movement and a lot of defensive work. But in the end that led to success. In my opinion you have to be content 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 dad. Watching her internationally, too, her talent was remarkable. I hope that her career lasted more and she was active today, but she was one of the best ever.

"I think anyone that has played with Kelly would agree and I never got the pleasure of doing that. But watching her was something that I greatly admired."

The striker notched 12 goals in twenty-one games in the Women's Super League the previous campaign to divide the scoring award.

She was not just one of the deadliest players in the competition but she was also a persistent danger in the penalty area throughout the campaign, taking more shots (73) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than all her peers.

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 sharp, darting movements stood out.

If a defender got in tight, Russo used her body well to win free-kicks, assisting the side gain settled possession in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League the prior year, no player was drawn more fouls than the Arsenal striker (15).

When the play settles, her control are extremely efficient. Her regular awareness of her surroundings means she remains aware of where opponents are.

She uses minimal touches on the ball, directing it away from opposing players applying player-to-player pressure, before locating close colleagues positioned facing towards the goal.

By retaining the ball in difficult scenarios, Russo is regularly able to act as an outlet for her side in trouble.

She can convert tough balls into long periods of controlled play and such phases in the opponent's final third lead to goals, several of these she finishes personally.