Women's Footballer of the Year Candidate Russo

Age: 26 Playing Role: Striker Clubs: Arsenal and the English national team

The talented forward created a legacy with her club as they emerged as the first English team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the Gunners did in 2008, and also played a key role in leading the Lionesses to the defence of their continental crown.

Russo found the net in the European Championship final and found her groove for her club, playing a crucial role throughout the season as an attacker and with her defensive efforts.

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

She was the WSL's co-leading goalscorer, sharing the top scorer award with Khadija Shaw.

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

Her name was put forward for the prestigious individual award and named in the Professional Footballers' Association and the European season's best XIs.

Her thoughts on personal development over the previous season:

"My top performances come when I'm having fun and I'm confident I'm training hard and completing my tasks, so those are aspects 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 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."

On winning Euro 2025 with England:

"The entire competition was a complete rollercoaster. It was highs and lows. It was emotionally really hard. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I remember after the last-eight game, many players were really, really battered and bruised. The pressure was immense. But recovery had to be swift. The schedule is relentless.

"I think the way that we won during the event was just determination and toughness. And I think that we knew that we had the squad, we knew that we had what it takes.

"You're playing against the top sides in the world, the elite athletes in the world and sometimes you have to win a little bit dirty."

Discussing the European final:

"The overriding feeling that stands out from that entire occasion was just being so calm, like we knew we'd done the work, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we believed in the game plan and what we wanted to do.

"Obviously playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not having the ball because they're so talented. When they do have the ball, they retain it that often.

"As players in the press and defensively, 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 content securing victories in that manner as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I got the pleasure of seeing her play a few times with my father. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. I wish that her career lasted more and she was active today, but she was one of the best ever.

"I think anyone that has played with Kelly would agree and I never got the pleasure of experiencing that. But watching her was someone that I always used to love."

The striker notched twelve goals in twenty-one games in the WSL last season to divide the Golden Boot.

She was not just one of the most clinical players in the competition but Russo was also a persistent danger 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 aid the side beyond scoring sets her apart.

Fellow player a teammate often delivered progressive passes into Russo, so strong hold-up play was necessary.

Her skill to retreat into midfield, freeing herself from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements was notable.

If a marker got in tight, she used her body well to win free-kicks, assisting the side gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the Champions' League last season, no player was fouled more than the forward (15).

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

She uses minimal touches 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 keeping possession in tough situations, she is regularly able to act as an outlet for her side in trouble.

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