Women's Soccer Player of the Year Candidate Russo

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

The talented forward made history with her club as they emerged as the pioneering British team to win the prestigious European competition since the North London side did in 2008, and also helped guide the Lionesses to the successful retention of their European Championship title.

Russo found the net in the European Championship showpiece match and hit top form for her team, playing a crucial role throughout the season in front of goal and with her work off the ball.

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

Russo finished as the Women's Super League's co-leading goalscorer, sharing the Golden Boot with her rival striker.

She scored 12 league goals for the club and provided assists for a couple more.

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

Russo on how she feels she has improved over the past year:

"My top performances come when I'm having fun 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 requires precision and there are so many fine margins. I continue to develop. We have great coaches here at the club. I have great players to gain knowledge from as well. Then when the important matches arrive, the greater your experience, the more you get used to them."

Reflecting on England's European triumph:

"The whole tournament was a complete rollercoaster. It was highs and lows. It was emotionally really hard. We were physically drained.

"I remember after the Sweden [quarter-final] game, many players were really, really battered and bruised. It was so intense. But recovery had to be swift. The schedule is relentless.

"In my view 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 the necessary qualities.

"You're playing against the top sides in the world, the best players in the world and sometimes 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 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 aimed to achieve.

"Obviously playing against a team like Barcelona, you've got to be comfortable not possessing the ball because their skill is exceptional. When in possession, they don't give it away that often.

"As players in the high press and out of possession, we were really focused on our assigned tasks. There was extensive movement 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 securing victories in that manner as well."

On Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith being her idol:

"I was fortunate of watching her a couple of occasions with my dad. Watching her internationally, too, her talent was remarkable. I wish that her career lasted more and she was active today, but she ranks among the greats.

"I think those who teamed up with her would say the same thing and I didn't have the chance of doing that. But watching her was someone that I greatly admired."

The striker notched 12 goals in twenty-one games in the WSL last season to share the scoring award.

Not only was she one of the deadliest players in the league but Russo was also a constant threat in the penalty area throughout the campaign, attempting more efforts (73) and having a higher expected goals tally (9.7) than any other player.

Her capability to contribute to the team outside of her goals distinguishes her.

Fellow player Mariona Caldentey regularly played forward balls into Russo, so strong hold-up play was essential.

Her skill to drop deep, creating space from her opposing defender through sharp, darting movements stood out.

If a marker got in tight, she used her physicality to win free-kicks, helping her team gain settled possession in the opponents' half. In the European tournament last season, nobody was drawn more fouls than the Arsenal striker (15).

When the ball does stick, Russo's touches are highly effective. Her frequent scanning of her environment means she stays conscious of where opponents are.

She uses minimal touches on the ball, directing it away from opposing players marking closely, before locating nearby team-mates oriented forward.

By keeping possession in tough situations, she is regularly able to act as an release option for her team under pressure.

She can turn difficult passes into long periods of stable possession and these possessions in the opponent's final third result in scores, several of these she ends up scoring herself.