Women's Soccer Player of the Year Contender Russo

Years Old: 26 Position: Striker Teams: Arsenal and England

The talented forward made history with her club as they became the first British team to win the Women's Champions League since the North London side 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 showpiece match and hit top form for her club, making significant contributions throughout the season as an attacker and with her work off the ball.

The forward was named the Football Writers' Association's top female player for last season.

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

She scored twelve WSL goals for the club and provided assists for a couple more.

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

Her thoughts on personal development over the previous season:

"I play my best football when I'm having fun and I'm confident my efforts in practice and completing my tasks, so that's something that I can always control.

"There's so many different aspects to a number nine position, it's so detailed and there are tiny differences. I'm always still learning. We have great coaches here at Arsenal. I have great players to learn off as well. Then when the important matches come around, the greater your experience, the more you get used to them."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The whole tournament was a total emotional ride. There were ups and downs. It tested us mentally. It was taxing on our bodies.

"I remember after the last-eight 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 what it takes.

"Facing the best teams in the world, the elite athletes in the world and occasionally you have to win a little bit dirty."

Discussing the European final:

"The overriding feeling that I can remember from that entire occasion was just being very composed, like we were confident our preparation was complete, we knew that we had the ability, and we knew that we trusted the game plan and what we wanted to do.

"Naturally playing against a side such as Barça, you must accept not having the ball because they're so talented. When in possession, they don't give it away that often.

"We as athletes in the press and defensively, we were really focused on our job at hand. It was a lot of running and plenty of defending. But in the end that's what got the job done. I think that you have to be content securing victories in that manner as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I was fortunate of watching her a couple of occasions with my dad. Seeing her for England, too, she was just incredible. I wish that her career lasted more and still be playing now, but she was one of the best ever.

"I think those who teamed up with her would say the same thing and I didn't have the chance of experiencing that. But watching her was someone that I always used to love."

The striker scored 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 league but she was also a constant threat in the box throughout the campaign, taking more shots (seventy-three) and having a higher expected goals tally (nine point seven) than all her peers.

Her capability to aid the side beyond scoring sets her apart.

Fellow player a teammate often delivered forward balls into her, so effective ball retention was necessary.

Her skill to drop deep, creating space from her nearby marker through quick, incisive runs stood out.

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

When the play settles, her control are extremely efficient. Her frequent scanning of her environment means she remains aware of where opponents are.

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, directing it away from opposing players applying player-to-player pressure, before finding nearby team-mates oriented forward.

By retaining the ball in difficult scenarios, Russo 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 these possessions in the attacking zone result in scores, many of which she finishes personally.