Women's Footballer of the Year Contender Russo

Age: 26 Playing Role: Forward Clubs: The Gunners and England

The talented forward made history with her club as they emerged as the pioneering English team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in 2008, and also played a key role in leading the Lionesses to the defence of their European Championship crown.

She scored in the Euro 2025 showpiece match and hit top form for her club, making significant contributions all campaign long in front of goal and with her work off the ball.

The forward was named the Football Writers' Association's women's footballer of the year for last season.

Russo finished as the Women's Super League's co-leading goalscorer, earning a share of the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

She scored 12 WSL goals for the club and provided assists for a further two.

She was also nominated for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and selected in the PFA and the European season's best XIs.

Her thoughts on personal development over the previous season:

"My top performances come when I'm enjoying myself and I know my efforts in practice and I'm getting my work done, so those are aspects that I can always control.

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, it's so detailed and there are tiny differences. I'm always still learning. Our staff is excellent here at Arsenal. I have great players to learn off as well. Then when the important matches come around, the more you do them, the more comfortable you become."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The whole tournament 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, a lot of us were really, really battered and bruised. It was so intense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. The schedule is relentless.

"I think the way that we won throughout that whole tournament was just grit and resilience. And we were aware that we had the squad, we knew that we had what it takes.

"Facing the top sides in the world, the best players in the world and sometimes you have to grind out results."

On the Champions League final:

"The overriding feeling that stands out from that entire occasion was just being so calm, like we were confident we'd done the work, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we trusted the game plan and what we aimed to achieve.

"Obviously playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not having the ball because their skill is exceptional. When in possession, they don't give it away that often.

"We as athletes in the high press and defensively, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. It was a lot of running and plenty of defending. But in the end that led to success. 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 got the pleasure of seeing her play a few times with my dad. Watching her internationally, too, she was just incredible. 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 something that I greatly admired."

The striker scored 12 goals in twenty-one games in the WSL the previous campaign to share the Golden Boot.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the league but she was also a constant threat in the box all season long, attempting more efforts (73) and recording a superior xG (nine point seven) than any other player.

Her capability to contribute to the team outside of her goals sets her apart.

Fellow player Mariona Caldentey regularly played forward balls into Russo, so effective ball retention was essential.

Russo's ability to drop deep, freeing herself from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements stood out.

If a marker got in tight, she used her body well to win free-kicks, assisting the side secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League the prior year, nobody was drawn more fouls than the forward (fifteen).

When the play settles, Russo's touches are extremely efficient. Her frequent scanning of her environment means she remains aware of where rivals are.

Russo takes few contacts on the ball, moving it clear from defenders applying player-to-player pressure, before finding close colleagues oriented forward.

By keeping possession in difficult scenarios, she is regularly able to act as an release option for her team under pressure.

She can convert tough balls into extended spells of controlled play and such phases in the opponent's final third result in scores, many of which she ends up scoring herself.