Women's Footballer of the Year Candidate Russo

Age: 26 Position: Forward Teams: Arsenal and England

The talented forward made history with her club as they emerged as the first British team to claim victory in the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in the 2000s, and also played a key role in leading the Lionesses to the defence of their European Championship crown.

She scored in the European Championship showpiece match and found her groove for her club, playing a crucial role all campaign long as an attacker and with her work off the ball.

The forward was honored as the FWA's women's footballer of the year for the previous campaign.

She was the Women's Super League's co-leading goalscorer, sharing the Golden Boot with Khadija Shaw.

She scored 12 league goals for the club and set up 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.

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

"I play my best football when I'm enjoying myself and I'm confident my efforts in practice and completing my tasks, so those are aspects that I can always control.

"Numerous elements to a striker's role, it's so detailed and there are so many fine margins. I continue to develop. Our staff is excellent here at the club. There are top teammates to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the important matches come around, the more you do them, the more you get used to them."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

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

"I recall after the last-eight game, many players were really, really battered and bruised. It was so intense. But recovery had to be swift. The schedule is relentless.

"I think 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 top sides in the world, the elite athletes in the world and occasionally you have to grind out results."

Discussing the European final:

"The main emotion that I can remember from that entire occasion was just being so calm, like we knew we'd done the work, we knew that we had what it takes, and we knew that we believed in the strategy and what we aimed to achieve.

"Obviously playing against a team like Barcelona, you must accept not possessing the ball because their skill is exceptional. When in possession, they retain it that often.

"As players in the press and defensively, we were really focused 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 content winning games like that as well."

Regarding her inspiration, Kelly Smith:

"I got the pleasure of seeing her play a couple of occasions with my dad. Seeing her for England, too, her talent was remarkable. I hope that her career lasted more and still be playing now, but she was one of the best ever.

"I think anyone that has played with Kelly would say the same thing and I never got the pleasure of experiencing that. But watching her was someone that I greatly admired."

The striker scored 12 goals in 21 games in the WSL last season to divide the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the league but she was also a constant threat in the penalty area throughout the campaign, taking more shots (seventy-three) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than any other player.

Her capability to aid the side beyond scoring distinguishes her.

Fellow player a teammate regularly played progressive passes into Russo, so effective ball retention was essential.

Her skill to drop deep, creating space from her nearby marker through sharp, darting movements was notable.

If a marker got too close, she used her physicality to draw fouls, helping her team secure the ball in the enemy territory. In the European tournament last season, nobody was fouled more than the forward (15).

When the ball does stick, her control are extremely efficient. Her regular awareness of her environment means she stays conscious of where opponents are.

Russo takes minimal touches on the ball, moving it clear from opposing players applying player-to-player pressure, before locating close colleagues positioned facing towards the goal.

By keeping possession in difficult scenarios, Russo is regularly able to act as an outlet for her team under pressure.

She is able convert tough balls into long periods of controlled play and such phases in the opponent's final third lead to goals, many of which she finishes personally.