Female Soccer Player of the Year Contender Russo

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

The talented forward created a legacy with her club as they became the pioneering British team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the Gunners did in the 2000s, and also helped guide the Lionesses to the successful retention of their European Championship crown.

She scored in the Euro 2025 final and hit top form for her team, making significant contributions all campaign long as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

Russo was named the FWA'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.

She scored 12 WSL goals for the club and set up for a couple more.

Her name was put forward for the prestigious individual award and named in the Professional Footballers' Association and the Uefa Champions League teams of the year.

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 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 so many fine margins. I continue to develop. Our staff is excellent here at Arsenal. I have great players to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the big games 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 was emotionally really hard. We were physically drained.

"I remember after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, many players were really, really battered and bruised. It was so intense. But recovery had to be swift. It moves so fast.

"In my view the way that we won during the event was just grit and resilience. And I think that we knew 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 grind out results."

On the Champions League final:

"The overriding feeling that I can remember from that entire occasion was just being very composed, like we were confident we'd done the work, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we believed in the strategy and what we wanted to do.

"Naturally playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not possessing the ball because their skill is exceptional. When in possession, they retain it frequently.

"As players in the press and out of possession, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. It was a lot of running and plenty of defending. But ultimately that led to success. I think that you have to be OK winning games like that as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I got the pleasure of seeing her play a few times with my dad. Watching her internationally, too, she was just incredible. I wish that her career lasted more and she was active today, but she ranks among the greats.

"I believe anyone that has played with Kelly would agree and I didn't have the chance of doing that. But observing her play was something that I always used to love."

The striker notched 12 goals in 21 games in the WSL last season to divide the Golden Boot.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the competition but Russo was also a constant threat in the penalty area throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (seventy-three) and recording a superior xG (nine point seven) than any other player.

Her capability to aid the side beyond scoring sets her apart.

Team-mate Mariona Caldentey regularly played forward balls into her, so strong hold-up play was essential.

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

If a marker got too close, she used her body well to win free-kicks, assisting the side gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the European tournament last season, no player was drawn more fouls than the forward (15).

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

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

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

She can turn difficult passes into long periods of controlled play and these possessions in the attacking zone lead to goals, many of which she finishes personally.