Female Footballer of the Year Candidate Russo

Age: 26 Position: Striker Clubs: Arsenal and the English national team

The talented forward created a legacy with her club as they emerged as the pioneering British team to win the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in the 2000s, and also helped guide England to the defence of their continental crown.

She scored in the European Championship showpiece match and hit top form for her club, playing a crucial role 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 Women's Super League's joint top scorer, earning a share of the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

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

She was also nominated for the prestigious individual award and selected in the PFA and the European teams of the year.

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

"My top performances come when I'm having fun and I'm confident my efforts in practice and completing my tasks, so that's something 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. We have great coaches here at the club. I have great players to learn off as well. Then when the important matches 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 total emotional ride. It was highs and lows. It was emotionally really hard. 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. The schedule is relentless.

"In my view the way that we won throughout that whole tournament was just determination and toughness. And I think that we knew that we had the squad, we knew that we had the necessary qualities.

"Facing the best teams in the world, the elite athletes in the world and sometimes you have to grind out results."

Discussing the European final:

"The main emotion that stands out from that entire occasion was just being very composed, like we knew we'd done the work, 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 in possession, they don't give it away frequently.

"We as athletes in the high press and defensively, we were highly concentrated on our assigned tasks. It was a lot of running 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 got the pleasure of seeing her play a few times with my father. Watching her internationally, too, she was just incredible. I wish that she could have played longer and still be playing now, but she was one of the best ever.

"I think anyone that has played with Kelly would agree and I didn't have the chance of doing that. But watching her was someone that I greatly admired."

The striker notched twelve goals in twenty-one games in the Women's Super League last season to divide the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the most clinical players in the league but Russo was also a constant threat in the box all season long, attempting more efforts (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than any other player.

Russo's ability to contribute to the team outside of her goals distinguishes her.

Team-mate Mariona Caldentey regularly played forward balls into her, so effective ball retention was essential.

Her skill to drop deep, freeing herself from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements was notable.

If a defender got too close, Russo used her physicality to draw fouls, assisting the side gain settled possession in the enemy territory. In the Champions' League last season, nobody was fouled more than the forward (15).

When the ball does stick, Russo's touches are extremely efficient. Her frequent scanning of her surroundings means she stays conscious of where rivals are.

Russo takes few contacts on the ball, moving it clear from opposing players applying player-to-player pressure, before finding 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 team under pressure.

She is able convert tough balls into extended spells of controlled play and such phases in the opponent's final third lead to goals, several of these she finishes personally.