Alessia Russo named FWA Footballer of the Year | OneFootball

Alessia Russo has been named the Football Writers’ Association Women’s Footballer of the Year for 2024/25, becoming only the second Arsenal player to win the award since its inception.

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The 26-year-old forward, who joined Arsenal in the summer of 2023, has enjoyed a superb season in red and white, scoring 12 Women’s Super League goals and an additional seven in the Champions League, where Arsenal have reached their first final in over a decade.

She has been a vital part of the club’s resurgence both domestically and in Europe.

Russo’s form notably surged following the departure of Jonas Eidevall, with all of her league goals coming under Renee Slegers.

In the months since the coaching change, Russo has produced a consistent run of match-winning performances, peaking with a brace against Real Madrid in the quarter-finals to turn the tie around and a goal and assist against Lyon in the semi-finals in that historic 4-1 win.

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The Football Writers’ Association award, voted for by around 400 journalists, recognises the most outstanding player in English women’s football each season.

Russo beat Khadija Shaw of Manchester City, last year’s winner, into second place, while her Arsenal teammate Mariona Caldentey finished third. Millie Bright of Chelsea completed the top four.

Russo joins Vivianne Miedema (2020) as Arsenal’s only other winner of the award. She was one of 36 players to receive votes this year but ultimately stood out as a clear winner.

She will lead the line for Arsenal when they face Barcelona in the Champions League final in Lisbon on May 24, a fixture that could cap off an individual season to remember.

Russo will receive her award at the FWA’s annual dinner on May 22, alongside Mohamed Salah, who won the men’s award for a third time after spearheading Liverpool’s Premier League title win.