Fans don't always get awards right, but this time they nailed it. Arsenal forward Alessia Russo just captured the England Women's Player of the Year title for the 2025-26 season, beating out heavy-hitting teammates like Lucy Bronze and Hannah Hampton in a widespread supporter poll.
If you watched her grind through the Women's Super League and shoulder the weight of the Lionesses' attack over the past twelve months, you know why she won. It's her second time claiming this honor, having previously taken it home for the 2023-24 campaign. She isn't just a reliable option up top anymore; she's the undisputed heartbeat of this national squad.
Building the Resume That Won Over the Fans
An award voted on by supporters requires more than raw numbers. It takes moments that stick in your memory long after the final whistle blows. Russo delivered those moments consistently when it mattered most.
Last season in the WSL, she notched 13 goals and chipped in six assists, earning the crown as the highest-scoring English player in the domestic league. That scoring touch wasn't just padding stats against lower-tier sides. Back in May, her clinical double against Aston Villa secured a vital 3-1 victory that pushed Arsenal straight into Champions League qualification.
On the international stage, her numbers look just as sharp. She featured in all ten of England's matches across the evaluation period, bagging five goals total. During the World Cup qualification group stage, she started every single fixture and found the back of the net three times.
Beating Out Elite Competition
Winning this award meant edging past two of the most decorated competitors in the game. Lucy Bronze and Hannah Hampton put together stellar resumes of their own at Chelsea, anchoring performances that kept club and country competitive at the highest levels.
Yet, voters leaned toward the relentless work rate and positional intelligence that Russo brings to the center-forward role. Strikers are judged by goals, but modern international football demands so much more. You have to press from the front, hold up long clearances under pressure, and create passing lanes for wingers cutting inside. Russo does the dirty work without complaining, which explains why her teammates praise her selflessness as much as the fans celebrate her goals.
“To receive the award is really special, particularly as it comes directly from the fans,” Russo said after the announcement. She immediately deflected praise to the collective group, thanking her teammates and acknowledging that individual accolades only happen when the squad clicks.
Staying Sharp With Big Tests Ahead
There's no time for a victory lap. The timing of the announcement coincided with the immediate demands of international duty. Just days before the news dropped, Russo was on the scoresheet yet again, netting the third goal in England's 3-1 win over Greece in the first leg of their World Cup playoff tie.
That brings us to the immediate future. The Lionesses host the return leg at Leicester's King Power Stadium on Tuesday night, looking to put the tie to bed and march another step closer toward the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Expect Russo to lead the line from the opening whistle once again. She isn't the type to coast on a fresh trophy or a new title. For Arsenal and England alike, her motor never really drops below top gear. That's why she's player of the year, and that's why she'll remain terrifying for opposing defenders all season long.
