Female Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Russo

Years Old: 26 Position: Forward Teams: The Gunners and England

The talented forward made history with Arsenal as they emerged as the pioneering English team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the North London side did in the 2000s, and also played a key role in leading England to the defence of their European Championship crown.

Russo found the net in the European Championship final and found her groove for her team, making significant contributions throughout the season as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

The forward was named the FWA's top female player for the previous campaign.

Russo finished as the WSL's co-leading goalscorer, earning a share of the Golden Boot with Khadija Shaw.

She scored twelve WSL 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 season's best XIs.

Russo on how she feels she has improved over the past year:

"I play my best football when I'm having fun and I know I'm training hard 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 continue to develop. Our staff is excellent here at Arsenal. There are top teammates to learn off as well. Then when the important matches come around, the greater your experience, the more you get used to them."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The whole tournament was a total emotional ride. It was highs and lows. It was emotionally really hard. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I remember after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, many players were extremely sore and injured. The pressure was immense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. The schedule is relentless.

"In my view the way that we won during the event was just determination and toughness. And I think that we knew that we had the team, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

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

On the Champions League final:

"The overriding feeling that stands out from that entire occasion was just being so calm, like we were confident we'd done the work, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we trusted the strategy and what we wanted to do.

"Naturally playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not having the ball because they're so talented. When they do have the ball, they don't give it away frequently.

"We as athletes in the high press and out of possession, we were really focused on our job at hand. There was extensive movement and plenty of defending. But ultimately that led to success. I think that you have to be OK securing victories in that manner as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I was fortunate of watching her a few times 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 ranks among the greats.

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

The striker scored 12 goals in 21 games in the WSL last season to share the Golden Boot.

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

Russo's ability to aid the side outside of her goals distinguishes her.

Fellow player a teammate often delivered forward balls into her, so strong hold-up play was necessary.

Russo's ability to retreat into midfield, freeing herself from her nearby marker through quick, incisive runs stood out.

If a defender got in tight, she used her physicality to win free-kicks, helping her team gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the European tournament last season, nobody was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (15).

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

She uses minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from defenders marking closely, before finding nearby team-mates positioned facing towards the goal.

By keeping possession in tough situations, she is often capable to act as an outlet for her side in trouble.

She is able turn difficult passes into extended spells of controlled play and such phases in the opponent's final third result in scores, many of which she ends up scoring herself.