Female Footballer of the Year Candidate Russo

Years Old: 26 Playing Role: Striker Clubs: The Gunners and England

The talented forward made history with Arsenal as they became the pioneering British team to claim victory in the Women's Champions League since the Gunners did in 2008, and also helped guide England to the defence of their European Championship title.

She scored in the European Championship showpiece match and found her groove for her team, playing a crucial role all campaign long in front of goal and with her work off the ball.

The forward was named the Football Writers' Association's top female player for the previous campaign.

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

She scored twelve league goals for the club and set up for a further two.

She was also nominated 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:

"My top performances come when I'm having fun and I know my efforts in practice 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'm always still learning. We have great coaches here at the club. There are top teammates to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the big games come around, the more you do them, the more you get used to them."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The entire competition was a complete rollercoaster. It was highs and lows. It tested us mentally. It was taxing on our bodies.

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

"I think 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 the necessary qualities.

"Facing the best teams in the world, the best players in the world and occasionally you have to win a little bit dirty."

Discussing the European final:

"The main emotion that I can remember from that entire occasion was just being so calm, like we knew our preparation was complete, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we believed in the game plan and what we wanted to do.

"Naturally playing against a side such as Barça, you've got to be comfortable not having the ball because they're so talented. When they do have the ball, they don't give it away that often.

"As players in the press and defensively, we were really focused on our job at hand. There was extensive movement and a lot of defensive work. But in the end that's what got the job done. I think that you have to be OK securing victories in that manner as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I was fortunate of watching her a few times with my dad. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. I hope that she could have played longer and still be playing now, but she was one of the best ever.

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

The striker scored 12 goals in 21 games in the WSL last season to share the scoring award.

She was not just one of the deadliest players in the competition but she was also a constant threat in the penalty area all season long, taking more shots (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than all her peers.

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

Team-mate a teammate regularly played forward balls into Russo, so strong hold-up play was necessary.

Her skill to retreat into midfield, freeing herself from her nearby marker through quick, incisive runs stood out.

If a defender got in tight, Russo used her body well to win free-kicks, helping her team gain settled possession in the enemy territory. In the European tournament last season, nobody was drawn more fouls than the Arsenal striker (15).

When the play settles, her control are highly effective. Her regular awareness of her environment means she stays conscious of where rivals are.

Russo takes few contacts on the ball, directing it away from opposing players marking closely, before locating close colleagues positioned facing towards the goal.

By retaining the ball in difficult scenarios, she is often capable to act as an outlet for her team under pressure.

She is able convert tough balls into long periods of controlled play and these possessions in the attacking zone lead to goals, several of these she finishes personally.