Women's Soccer Player of the Year Contender Russo

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

The talented forward made history with her club 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 defence of their European Championship title.

She scored in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and found her groove for her team, making significant contributions all campaign long as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

The forward was named the FWA's women's footballer of the year for last season.

She was the Women's Super League's joint top scorer, sharing the Golden Boot with Khadija Shaw.

Russo netted 12 league goals for Arsenal and provided assists for a couple more.

She was also nominated for the prestigious individual award and named in the PFA and the European teams of the year.

Her thoughts on personal development over the previous season:

"I play my best football when I'm enjoying myself and I know my efforts in practice and completing my tasks, so that's something that I can always control.

"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 arrive, the greater your experience, the more comfortable you become."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The whole tournament was a complete rollercoaster. It was highs and lows. It tested us mentally. 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 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 best teams in the world, the best players in the world and occasionally you have to grind out results."

Discussing the European final:

"The overriding feeling that I can remember from that whole day 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 trusted the game plan and what we wanted to do.

"Naturally playing against a team like Barcelona, you've got to be comfortable not having 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 job at hand. There was extensive movement and a lot of defensive work. But ultimately that's what got the job done. I think that 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 few times 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 ranks among the greats.

"I think anyone that has played with Kelly would say the same thing and I never got the pleasure of experiencing that. But observing her play was someone that I greatly admired."

The striker scored 12 goals in twenty-one games in the Women's Super League last season to divide the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the league but she was also a constant threat in the box throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than any other player.

Russo's ability to contribute to the team outside of her goals sets her apart.

Team-mate Mariona Caldentey regularly played forward balls into her, so effective ball retention was necessary.

Russo's ability to retreat into midfield, freeing herself from her nearby marker through sharp, darting movements was notable.

If a marker got in tight, Russo used her physicality to draw fouls, assisting the side secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League last season, no player was drawn more fouls than the Arsenal striker (15).

When the ball does stick, her control are highly effective. Her frequent scanning of her environment means she stays conscious of where rivals are.

She uses few contacts on the ball, moving it clear from opposing players marking closely, before locating nearby team-mates positioned facing towards the goal.

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

She is able convert tough balls into extended spells of stable possession and these possessions in the opponent's final third lead to goals, many of which she ends up scoring herself.