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Alessia Russo made history with Arsenal by guiding England to their European Championship crown while becoming the first British team to win the Women’s Champions League since 2008 under the leadership of the Gunners.

She scored in the Euro 2025 final and found her groove with her club, where she excelled all season long in front of goal and off the ball.

The forward won the Football Writers’ Association’s women’s football player of the year award last year.

She and Khadija Shaw shared the Golden Boot, both of whom were the women’s super league’s (WSL) top scorers.

Russo added two assists and 12 WSL goals for Arsenal.

Russo’s thoughts on how much she has grown in the last year:

I always have control over what I play football best when I’m enjoying myself and working hard to get my work done.

A number nine position has so many different aspects, is so detailed, and has so many fine margins. I’m constantly learning. At Arsenal, our coaches are excellent. I’m also going to learn a lot of players. Then, as the big games come around, you get used to them more.

Upon winning the 2025 Euro with England:

The entire tournament was a “virtuous rollercoaster.” There were both highs and lows. It was very emotionally difficult. Our bodies were being burdened by it.

Many of us were extremely battered and stricken after the Sweden [quarter-final] game. It was so intense. However, you must turn it around quickly. It moves so quickly.

“I believe the reason we won that tournament was a result of grit and perseverance,” she said. And I believe we were aware of the squad’s existence and of what it required.

“You’re playing against the best teams in the world, the best players in the world, and you occasionally have to win a little bit dirty.”

In the Champions League final:

Being so composed that day made me think about it over and over again, as we knew we had done the work, that we knew we had what it took, and that we knew we believed in the game plan and what we wanted to accomplish.

You have to feel at ease not having the ball against a team like Barcelona, they’re so talented, it’s obvious. They don’t give the ball away that frequently when they do.

We were extremely focused on our job as press reporters and outsiders. There was a lot of running and a lot of deflection. But ultimately, that is what accomplished the task. You must also be able to win those games, in my opinion.

Regarding Kelly Smith, a legend at Arsenal and England, as her idol growing up:

“I enjoyed spending time with my dad watching her a few times. She was incredible when she was also seen for England. She was one of the best players ever, but I wish she could have played more and still do so now.

Last year, Alessia Russo shared the Golden Boot with Alessia Russo, who scored 12 goals in 21 games.

She excels because of her ability to contribute to the team beyond her personal goals.

Strong hold-up play was required because Mariona Caldentey’s teammate played progressive passes into Russo frequently last year.

Russo’s ability to release herself from her close-knit marker quickly and provocatively stood out.

Russo effectively used her body to make foul calls when the opponent’s half came too close for her. No player was fouled more than the Arsenal striker (15) in the Champions League last season.

Russo uses a lot of precision when the ball does stick. She stays aware of where her foes are despite constantly scanning her surroundings.

Russo locates nearby team-mates facing the goal with only minimal touches on the ball before disguising it to defenders under player-to-player pressure.

Russo frequently finds herself using her team as an outlet when things are difficult to do and by keeping the ball in difficult situations.

After assisting England to win Euro 2025, Hannah Hampton was honored as the best female goalkeeper in the world at the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony.

Chelsea won the title last year and finished the season with an outstanding unbeaten Women’s Super League record.

Hampton has taken up the position of Mary Earps’ number one in England. Before her international retirement, she frequently surpassed Earps and has demonstrated her worth to Sarina Wiegman’s side.

She saved two penalties in their quarter-final victory over Sweden and saved another two when Spain defeated Spain in the final.

Along with Phallon Tullis-Joyce from Manchester United, she also had the WSL golden glove with her 13 league victories for Chelsea.

Hampton on overcoming the odds because he was born with a serious eye condition:

No one or even the doctors would have predicted that your national goalkeeper had a squint and had no depth perception, according to me. I don’t believe it would have ever been thought up by people as being possible.

“But I believe I’ve just always tried to refute doctors’ claims that I’m not permitted to play professional sports, and I only wanted to do what made me happy and make people smile.”

On “psychological monsters” playing for “Chelsea:

“I believe that Chelsea is a club of mentality monsters just because of how it operates.” They want to win every aspect of the club, from the owner to the players to the backroom staff to the coach. They merely desire to succeed in every way. You can’t help but feel their feelings and pursue their goals. I want to bring trophies to this amazing club and help them succeed as much as I can in this game.

Regarding penalty shootouts for Euro 2025:

My back was under pressure. But I wasn’t thinking about that at the time. I was considering doing it for the girls. I had to hold still in my own 18-yard box for 120 minutes while they ran around. It almost seemed like a way to express gratitude to them for surviving those penalty shootouts and maintaining their defensive standing.

Regarding the words of wisdom she would offer to her younger self:

Hampton kept 13 clean sheets in 22 games as Chelsea’s unbeaten Women’s Super League campaign.

You might have missed a crucial component of Hampton’s technique that allowed her to save as many penalties as she did thanks to her shootout performances, which ensured England won the Euros this summer.

Given her preparation using data analysis, Hampton was aware of which side she would eventually choose. The key to Hampton’s success came from placing her foot the closest to the side she was diving to as the opponent began to advance.

Some keepers use their inward-pointing to force their way out before crashing into the goal’s corner. Keepers can quickly descend because of this, but in reality, the foot’s inward movement leads the keeper to the goal’s corner. They must travel a greater distance as a result.

Is it clear why Patri Guijarro’s description frequently includes the phrase “unsung hero”?

The midfielder can occasionally fly under the radar because of his involvement with Barcelona’s star-studded sides and Spain.

However, her presence as the backbone for her teams makes up for what she lacks in the goals and assist statistics, which also allows the rest to shine.

She won a domestic treble with Barcelona despite losing this year’s Champions League final to her club and losing this year’s Euro 2025 final to her country.

The 27-year-old sets the pace by steadying her team from the midfield, reversing possession and making attacking moves.

Although her work may not always be the most glamorous, it is consistently tenacious, and a key component of her sides’ makeup.

Guijarro, a unsung hero:

“I’m very surprised,” she said. I’ve always felt very valued by the staff and the players. And that is the best part of me. Additionally, they let you know about it. I want to help them, which is a reason to be happy, because it means that I can help them and that I can make positive contributions to the team. It is a wonderful compliment.

How did she first become a football player?

At the age of 7, I began competing in leagues. I’ve played a lot of backyard games since I was very young with my father. I would always go to the park with my father, his brother, and my uncle to play. I’ve always enjoyed playing ball since I was a young girl.

During her time with Barcelona:

“I’ve been here for ten years. These past few years have been incredible, especially in terms of the outcomes, the direction we have taken, and the goals we have set.

I’m happy to contribute to the club as well as the national team because I’m now where I want to be with the performances I’m giving. I’m content and very happy.

Regarding the Euros:

“To play for the national team, defend this jersey, your home is what I’ve always wanted,” he said. Any football player wants to do that in order to succeed to the fullest.

Given how significant her sides are to her, it is difficult to separate one thing from another when analyzing Guijarro.

Her proactivity is a distinguishing trait. Guijarro is able to see the picture of the game before it actually happens and bravely pushes her team to the front foot, causing the game to move at a faster pace. She does this by pressing and moving away from the ball and making pass selections on it.

Without needing additional thought or additional touches to prepare herself for a pass, her ability to turn and play a direct pass in one smooth motion frequently allows her to do so. This prevents the game from being interrupted.

She is the ideal player to have the game run through by allowing her to control the game with quick passes and quickly launch impressive long balls to team-mates who are running in behind.