Women's Footballer of the Year Candidate Russo

Age: 26 Position: Forward Clubs: The Gunners and the English national team

The talented forward made history with her club as they became the first English team to claim victory in 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 continental crown.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and found her groove for her team, making significant contributions throughout the season in front of goal and with her defensive efforts.

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

She was the WSL's co-leading goalscorer, sharing the top scorer award with her rival striker.

She scored twelve league goals for the club and provided assists for a couple more.

She was also nominated for the prestigious individual award and named in the PFA and the Uefa Champions League season's best XIs.

Russo on how she feels she has improved over the previous season:

"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 those are aspects that are within my power.

"There's so many different aspects to a number nine position, it requires precision and there are tiny differences. I'm always still learning. Our staff is excellent here at the club. There are top teammates to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the important matches come around, the greater your experience, the more comfortable you become."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The whole tournament was a total emotional ride. There were ups and downs. 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.

"I think the way that we won during the event was just grit and resilience. And we were aware that we had the team, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"You're playing against the best teams 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 stands out from that whole day was just being very composed, like we knew we'd done the work, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we believed in the game plan and what we wanted to do.

"Obviously playing against a team like Barcelona, you must accept not possessing the ball because their skill is exceptional. When in possession, they retain it frequently.

"We as athletes 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. In my opinion you have to be content securing victories in that manner 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. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. I hope that she could have played longer and she was active today, but she was one of the best ever.

"I believe those who teamed up with her would say the same thing and I never got the pleasure of doing that. But observing her play was someone that I greatly admired."

The striker notched 12 goals in 21 games in the WSL the previous campaign to divide the Golden Boot.

She was not just one of the most clinical players in the league but she was also a persistent danger in the penalty area all season long, taking more shots (seventy-three) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than any other player.

Her capability to contribute to the team beyond scoring sets her apart.

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

Her skill to drop deep, freeing herself from her nearby marker through quick, incisive runs stood out.

If a marker got in tight, Russo used her physicality to draw fouls, helping her team secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the European tournament last season, nobody was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (fifteen).

When the ball does stick, Russo's touches are highly effective. Her frequent scanning of her environment means she remains aware of where rivals are.

Russo takes few contacts on the ball, directing it away from opposing players applying player-to-player pressure, before locating nearby team-mates positioned facing towards the goal.

By retaining the ball in tough situations, she is often capable to act as an release option for her side in trouble.

She is able turn difficult passes into extended spells of controlled play and these possessions in the attacking zone lead to goals, several of these she finishes personally.