BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year 2025 Contender Alessia Russo

Russo on how he feels he improved last year:

“I play my best football when I’m happy with myself and I know I’m the one who’s trained well and I’ve done my job, so it’s something I can always control.

“There’s so many different aspects to a number nine position, it’s so detailed and there are so many fine margins. I’m always still learning. We have great coaches here at Arsenal. I have great players to learn off as well. Then when the big games come around, the more you do them, the more you get used to them.”

On England winning Euro 2025:

“The whole tournament has been a complete rollercoaster. It’s highs and lows. It’s really tough emotionally. Emotions take a toll on our bodies.

“I remember after the Game in Sweden (Quarter-Final), many of us were really, really devastated and it was overwhelming.

“I think the way we won the whole competition was just grit and tenacity. And I think we knew we had to.

“You play against the best teams in the world, the best players in the world and sometimes you have to win a little dirty sometimes.”

In the Finals League Final:

“The overwhelming feeling I can remember from the whole day was just the silence, like we knew we did the job, we knew we believed in the game plan and what we wanted to do.

“Obviously playing against a team like Barcelona, ​​you have to be comfortable without the ball because they have talent. When they have the ball they don’t give it away.

“As players in the press and without possession, we are focused on our job to go. In the long run you get the job done as well.”

On Arsenal and England’s Kelly Smith who was his idol growing up:

“I’ve had the pleasure of watching him a few times with my Dad. He’s also seen for England, he can’t stop and still play, but he’s one of the best.

“I think anyone who played with Kelly would say the same thing and I never had the pleasure of doing that. But watching him is someone I’ve always loved.”