Alessia Russo wins 2025 FWA Footballer of the Year

Arsenal and England striker Alessia Russo has been named the Football Writers’ Association (FWA) Women’s Footballer of the Year for the 2024/25 season.

Russo topped the nationwide poll of football journalists, becoming only the second Arsenal player to earn the honour since the award’s inception in 2018. The first, Vivianne Miedema in 2020.

Final Voting Results: Top Four Nominees

1. Alessia Russo (Arsenal)
2. Khadija “Bunny” Shaw (Manchester City)
3. Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal)
4. Millie Bright (Chelsea)

In total, 36 different players received votes from FWA members this year, reflecting the growing depth of talent in the women’s game, but Russo emerged as the clear winner.

A season to be proud of, but a lot left to play for

Russo’s victory cements her status as the standout performer in English football this season. The Maidstone-born forward joined Arsenal in summer 2023 after a prolific spell at Manchester United, and she has quickly become a linchpin for the Gunners. In the Women’s Super League (WSL) Russo has scored 12 goals and provided 2 assists in 20 games, putting her atop the WSL Golden Boot race (tied with Shaw) with one game to play.

She also netted seven times in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, spearheading Arsenal’s run to their first Champions League final in 18 years.

Across all competitions, Russo has racked up 20 goals and 4 assists over the campaign – a tally that underlines her impact in both domestic and European action.

Full list of winners since the awards inception in 2018

Russo will officially receive the Footballer of the Year trophy at the FWA’s annual awards dinner on May 22, 2025 in London, alongside men’s award winner Mohamed Salah.