Can Alessia Russo win the Ballon d'Or? | OneFootball

Lionesses star Alessia Russo is among the favourites to win the women's Ballon d'Or in tonight's ceremony in Paris so we've had a look at some of the numbers behind the Arsenal striker's unforgettable 2024/25 campaign.

Russo played 54 games for club and country over the 2024/25 season, scoring 26 goals and making nine assists.

Not only was Russo prolific last season but she also scored games in big moments, netting against her former club Manchester United, bagging a brace against Real Madrid to complete a second-leg dramatic comeback, and of course the equaliser in the Euro 2025 final.

The striker finished joint top scorer of the WSL last season alongside Bunny Shaw of Manchester City with 12 games in total, averaging 0.64 goals per 90 minutes, and having more shots on target (31) than anyone else in the league.

Russo also ranked seventh for successful take-ons in the league (30 in total), eight for progressive carries (50), and sixth for progressive passes received (137).

While Russo may not have been at her very best at Euro 2025 – indeed the Lionesses never looked convincing despite emerging as winners – she made big impacts. As well as that goal in the final, she made a hat-trick of assists against the Netherlands in that 4-0 win and netted one of England's six goals against Wales in the final group game.

Indeed, while Russo is primarily a striker her club coach Renée Slegers has at times played her in a deeper role as a number 10, just like she did in Sunday's goalless draw against United at Leigh Sports Village.

There is still more to come from Russo but last season was her best to date and when you consider the competition from the Ballon d'Or nominees, with neither Aitana Bonmatí or Alexia Putellas having stand-out seasons, she could be lifting the prestigious award tonight.