Alessia Russo is one of the most recognizable forwards in English women’s football. Born in Maidstone, England, in 1999, Russo developed from a grassroots footballer in Kent into an established Arsenal forward and England international. Her career has included major tournament success with England, UEFA Women’s Champions League glory with Arsenal, and several memorable goals on some of the biggest stages in women’s football.
As of September 2026, Russo is 27 years old and remains an important part of both the Arsenal Women’s squad and the England women’s national team. England Football lists her as a 175 cm tall, right-footed forward with 67 senior England caps and 30 goals.
Who Is Alessia Russo?
Alessia Russo is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for Arsenal Women and England. She was born on February 8, 1999, in Maidstone, Kent. Her football journey began at the grassroots level before she progressed through professional clubs’ youth systems and eventually moved to the United States for college football.
Russo’s career has taken her from local football in Kent to Chelsea, Brighton & Hove Albion, the University of North Carolina, Manchester United and Arsenal. Her performances for club and country have established her as a regular presence at the highest level of women’s football.
England Football’s official profile records her senior international debut as March 11, 2020, when she came on as a substitute against Spain.
Alessia Russo Age and Early Life
Born on February 8, 1999, Alessia Russo will be 27 in 2026. She grew up in Kent and developed her love for football at a young age.
According to Russo’s own account published by England Football, her earliest football memories involve going to West Farleigh with her parents and brothers. She was initially too young to play on the boys’ team, so she would spend time kicking a ball around the side of the pitch.
She later joined Bearsted FC, where she played for both boys’ and girls’ teams. Her early versatility was another important part of her development. Russo has explained that she played in different positions, including midfield, before eventually moving into roles such as number 10, winger and striker.
This varied experience helped shape the attacking player she would become.
Alessia Russo’s Youth Football Career
Russo’s pathway into elite football included a spell with Chelsea. At the London club, she progressed through the development structure and captained the development team. She also made appearances during the early stages of the Continental Cup.
She subsequently moved to Brighton & Hove Albion, where she featured in the 2017 FA Women’s Super League Spring Series.
Another major stage of her development came in the United States. In 2017, Russo began playing while studying at the University of North Carolina as a Tar Heel.
Her time in America allowed her to develop in a different football environment while continuing her education. England Football notes that she represented North Carolina after moving to the United States in 2017.
Alessia Russo and Manchester United
In September 2020, Russo returned to England and signed for Manchester United. The move became an important stage in her professional development.
Her performances for United raised her profile and helped her become a regular member of England manager Sarina Wiegman’s squad. England Football identifies Russo’s form at Manchester United as an important factor in her progression toward the international team.
Her time at Manchester United also gave her valuable Women’s Super League experience and helped establish her reputation as an effective attacking player.
Alessia Russo’s Move to Arsenal
Russo joined Arsenal in 2023, shortly before England traveled to Australia for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The transfer represented another significant step in her club career.
At Arsenal, she joined a team competing regularly for domestic and European honors. Her goalscoring and attacking contribution have made her an important member of the squad.
Her Arsenal career reached a major milestone in 2024-25 when the club won the UEFA Women’s Champions League. UEFA describes Russo as an important part of Arsenal’s attack during that successful campaign.
Alessia Russo and the 2024-25 Champions League
The 2024-25 UEFA Women’s Champions League campaign was one of the most memorable periods of Russo’s club career.
One of her standout performances came against Real Madrid in the quarter-final. Arsenal had lost the first leg 2-0 but produced a comeback in the second leg. Russo scored twice as Arsenal won 3-0, overturning the deficit and advancing to the semi-finals. UEFA’s technical analysis highlighted her movement and finishing.
Russo also scored regularly during Arsenal’s European campaign. UEFA’s tournament statistics list her among the leading scorers of the 2024-25 competition, while the club eventually went on to win the trophy.
The Champions League victory gave Russo one of the biggest club honors available in European women’s football.
Alessia Russo and England
Russo’s international career has been equally significant.
She made her England senior debut against Spain on March 11, 2020. Before reaching the senior team, she played for England at various junior levels, including the Under-17 and Under-20 teams. She was part of England’s Under-20 side that was awarded a bronze medal at the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
Her first senior England goals came spectacularly.
During England’s 20-0 victory over Latvia in November 2021, Russo scored a hat-trick in only 11 minutes. England Football describes it as the fastest hat-trick in Lionesses history.
That performance helped announce her arrival on the international stage.
Alessia Russo at UEFA Women’s EURO 2022
The 2022 UEFA Women’s EURO became a defining tournament of Russo’s career.
Playing on home soil with England, she scored against Northern Ireland during the group stage. However, her goal against Sweden in the semi-final became particularly famous.
Russo scored with a backheel during England’s 4-0 victory over Sweden at Bramall Lane. The goal became one of the tournament’s most memorable moments and helped cement her profile among international football audiences.
England went on to beat Germany in the final at Wembley, winning their first major women’s international trophy.
Alessia Russo at the 2023 Women’s World Cup
Russo was also part of England’s squad for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
The Lionesses reached the final, where they faced Spain. Although England ultimately finished as runners-up, the tournament represented another deep run at a major international competition for Russo and her teammates.
Her participation also demonstrated how quickly she had become an established member of England’s senior squad.
Alessia Russo and EURO 2025
Russo was once again part of England’s squad for UEFA Women’s EURO 2025.
England successfully defended their European title, and Russo scored the equalizing goal in the final against Spain in Basel. England eventually won the match on penalties, securing another European championship. England Football records Russo as part of the squad that retained the EURO title in 2025.
UEFA lists the 2025 Women’s EURO as one of Russo’s major honors alongside the 2022 tournament, the 2023 Finalissima and Arsenal’s 2024-25 Champions League victory.
Alessia Russo’s 2025-26 Season
Russo continued to produce strong numbers during the 2025-26 campaign.
According to England Football’s 2026 statistics, she made 10 appearances and nine starts for England during the 2025-26 season, scoring five goals and providing one assist.
Her club statistics were also notable. England Football reported that Russo finished Arsenal’s 2025-26 season with 22 goals and eight assists across the Women’s Super League and Champions League combined.
In the 2025-26 Women’s Champions League, UEFA recorded nine goals for Russo, leaving her second in the competition’s final scoring standings behind Barcelona’s Ewa Pajor.
These figures underline her continued importance to Arsenal’s attack.
Alessia Russo’s Playing Style
Russo is primarily a center-forward, but her game isn’t limited to finishing chances.
Her development across attacking and midfield roles during her youth career gave her experience across the pitch. England Football records her early movement from midfield into number 10, wing, and number nine positions.
UEFA has also highlighted her movement and finishing, particularly in Arsenal’s 2025 Champions League victory over Real Madrid.
Her ability to combine movement, finishing, and link-up play makes her a versatile option in the forward line.
Alessia Russo Awards and Achievements
Russo’s career already includes several major honors.
Her notable achievements include:
- UEFA Women’s EURO winner with England in 2022
- Women’s Finalissima winner with England in 2023
- UEFA Women’s Champions League winner with Arsenal in 2024-25
- UEFA Women’s EURO winner with England in 2025
- England Women’s Player of the Year for 2023-24
- Part of England’s 2018 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup bronze-medal squad
- Fastest hat-trick in Lionesses history, completed in 11 minutes against Latvia.
England Football states that Russo was named England Women’s Player of the Year for 2023-24 after scoring six goals in 11 starts during that international season.
In September 2026, England Football also reported that Russo had been included among the 30-player shortlist for the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or.
Alessia Russo’s Family and Personal Life
Russo has shared some information about her childhood and family background through England Football, particularly in discussions about her grassroots football journey.
She has spoken about playing football with her parents and brothers when she was young, and about playing at West Farleigh and Bearsted.
She generally keeps her private life separate from her professional football career. As a result, treat information about subjects such as romantic relationships, personal finances, and life away from football carefully unless reliable sources support it.
For readers researching Alessia Russo, the most dependable information concerns her football career, England appearances, Arsenal career, and tournament achievements.
What Is Next for Alessia Russo?
At 27, Russo remains an established international forward and Arsenal player. Her recent performances have continued to attract attention, and her inclusion on the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or shortlist reflects the recognition she has received after the 2025-26 season.
England are also moving into another phase of international competition, with World Cup qualifying fixtures scheduled in 2026. UEFA currently lists England’s next qualifying play-off match against Greece for October 9, 2026.
Russo’s mix of international experience and club success means Arsenal and England supporters will continue to follow her career closely.
Conclusion
Alessia Russo has built an impressive football career from her early days playing grassroots football in Kent to becoming an Arsenal and England forward. Her journey includes development at Chelsea and Brighton, college football in the United States, professional football with Manchester United, and major success with Arsenal.
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