Women's Soccer Player of the Year Contender Russo

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

The talented forward created a legacy with Arsenal as they emerged as the pioneering British 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 successful retention of their European Championship title.

She scored in the European Championship final and found her groove for her team, playing a crucial role throughout the season in front of goal and with her work off the ball.

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

Russo finished as the WSL's joint top scorer, sharing the top scorer award with Khadija Shaw.

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

Her name was put forward for the 2025 Ballon d'Or and selected in the Professional Footballers' Association and the European season's best XIs.

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

"My top performances come when I'm enjoying myself and I'm confident my efforts in practice and completing my tasks, so those are aspects that are within my power.

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, it's so detailed and there are so many fine margins. I'm always still learning. Our staff is excellent here at Arsenal. I have great players to learn off as well. Then when the big games come around, the greater your experience, 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. We were physically drained.

"I recall after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, a lot of us were really, really battered and bruised. The pressure was immense. But you've got to turn it around quickly. The schedule is relentless.

"In my view the way that we won during the event was just grit and resilience. And I think that we knew that we had the squad, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

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

On the Champions League final:

"The overriding feeling that I can remember from that entire occasion was just being so calm, like we were confident 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 team like Barcelona, 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 press and out of possession, we were really focused on our job at hand. It was a lot of running and plenty of defending. But in the end 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 was fortunate of watching her a few times with my dad. Seeing her for England, too, her talent was remarkable. I wish that her career lasted more and she was active today, but she ranks among the greats.

"I think those who teamed up with her would agree and I never got the pleasure of experiencing that. But watching her was someone that I greatly admired."

The striker notched 12 goals in twenty-one games in the Women's Super League the previous campaign to divide the scoring award.

She was not just one of the most clinical players in the competition but she was also a constant threat in the penalty area all season long, attempting more efforts (73) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than any other player.

Russo's ability to contribute to the team beyond scoring sets her apart.

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

Russo's ability to retreat into midfield, freeing herself from her nearby marker through quick, incisive runs stood out.

If a defender got too close, she used her physicality to draw fouls, helping her team secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the European tournament the prior year, no player was drawn more fouls than the Arsenal striker (15).

When the ball does stick, Russo's touches are extremely efficient. Her regular awareness of her surroundings means she remains aware of where opponents are.

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, directing it away from defenders marking closely, before locating nearby team-mates positioned facing towards the goal.

By keeping possession in tough situations, she is regularly able to act as an release option for her side in trouble.

She can 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.