Female Soccer Player of the Year Contender Russo

Years Old: 26 Playing Role: Forward Clubs: Arsenal and England

The talented forward created a legacy with Arsenal as they emerged as the pioneering English team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the Gunners did in the 2000s, and also helped guide England to the successful retention of their continental crown.

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

Russo was honored as the Football Writers' Association's women's footballer of the year for the previous campaign.

Russo finished as the WSL's co-leading goalscorer, earning a share of the top scorer award with Khadija Shaw.

She scored twelve league goals for the club and provided assists for a further two.

She was also nominated for the prestigious individual award and selected in the Professional Footballers' Association and the Uefa Champions League season's best XIs.

Her thoughts on personal development over the past year:

"My top performances come when I'm enjoying myself and I'm confident I'm training hard 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. There are top teammates to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the important matches arrive, the greater your experience, the more comfortable you become."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The whole tournament was a total emotional ride. There were ups and downs. It was emotionally really hard. It was taxing on our bodies.

"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. It moves so fast.

"I think the way that we won throughout that whole tournament was just determination and toughness. 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 elite athletes in the world and occasionally you have to grind out results."

On the Champions League final:

"The overriding feeling that stands out from that entire occasion was just being very composed, like we were confident 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 aimed to achieve.

"Obviously playing against a team like Barcelona, you've got to be comfortable not having the ball because they're so talented. When in possession, 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 plenty of defending. But ultimately that led to success. In my opinion 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 dad. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. I hope that she could have played longer and she was active today, but she was one of the best ever.

"I think those who teamed up with her would say the same thing and I never got the pleasure of experiencing that. But watching her was someone that I always used to love."

The striker scored twelve goals in 21 games in the Women's Super League the previous campaign to share the Golden Boot.

Not only was she one of the most clinical players in the competition but she was also a constant threat in the box throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (seventy-three) and recording a superior xG (9.7) than all her peers.

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

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

Russo's ability to retreat into midfield, creating space 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 opponents' half. In the European tournament the prior year, no player was fouled more than the forward (fifteen).

When the ball does stick, her control are highly effective. Her regular awareness of her surroundings means she remains aware of where rivals are.

She uses minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from opposing players applying player-to-player pressure, before locating nearby team-mates positioned facing towards the goal.

By retaining the ball in tough situations, Russo is often capable to act as an outlet for her team under pressure.

She can turn difficult passes into extended spells of stable possession and such phases in the opponent's final third result in scores, several of these she finishes personally.