Female Footballer of the Year Candidate Russo

Age: 26 Playing Role: Forward Teams: The Gunners and the English national team

The talented forward created a legacy with her club as they became the first British team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in the 2000s, and also helped guide the Lionesses to the defence of their continental title.

Russo found the net in the Euro 2025 final and found her groove for her club, making significant contributions all campaign long 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 WSL's joint top scorer, sharing the top scorer award with Khadija Shaw.

She scored 12 league goals for Arsenal and set up for a further two.

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

Russo on how she feels she has improved 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 those are aspects that I can always control.

"There's so many different aspects 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 gain knowledge from as well. Then when the big games arrive, the greater your experience, the more you get used to them."

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 recall after the last-eight game, many players were really, really battered and bruised. 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 determination and toughness. And we were aware that we had the team, we knew that we had what it takes.

"Facing 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 overriding feeling 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 game plan and what we wanted to do.

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

"As players in the high press and defensively, we were really focused on our assigned tasks. It was a lot of running and a lot of defensive work. But ultimately that's what got the job done. 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 seeing her play a few times with my father. Seeing her for England, too, her talent was remarkable. I hope that her career lasted more and still be playing now, but she was one of the best ever.

"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 someone that I always used to love."

The striker scored twelve goals in twenty-one games in the WSL the previous campaign to share the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the competition but Russo was also a constant threat in the penalty area all season long, taking more shots (seventy-three) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than all her peers.

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

Fellow player a teammate often delivered progressive passes into Russo, so effective ball retention was necessary.

Her skill to retreat into midfield, freeing herself from her nearby marker through sharp, darting movements stood out.

If a marker got too close, Russo used her body well to draw fouls, helping her team secure the ball in the opponents' half. In the Champions' League the prior year, nobody was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (fifteen).

When the ball does stick, Russo's touches are extremely efficient. Her frequent scanning of her environment means she remains aware of where opponents are.

Russo takes few contacts on the ball, directing it away 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 side in trouble.

She can turn difficult passes into long periods of controlled play and these possessions in the opponent's final third result in scores, many of which she ends up scoring herself.