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Alessia Russo is focusing only on collective honours in what could be a historic season for the Arsenal forward. If Champions League glory wasn’t enough, Russo can scoop a second major trophy in two months if England overcome Spain in Sunday's Euro 2025 final. And with success comes individual recognition and most notably the Ballon d’Or. Russo was the WSL top scorer last season with 12 goals, an award she shared with Manchester City’s Khadija Shaw. Her exploits has thrown her into the mix for the award and the opportunity to succeed back-to-back winner Aitana Bonmati as the world’s best. Ironically, Bonmati will be standing within metres of Russo when Sunday’s final kicks off having netted an extra-time winner in Spain’s semi-final victory over Germany on Wednesday. But the Arsenal star should have no trepidation over Bonmati’s brilliance on Sunday having already got the better of the Barcelona ace in the Champions League final in May. While some may view Sunday’s final as a straight shootout for the gong, Russo has poured cold water on her Ballon d’Or chances. Asked if the award motivates her, Russo told talk SPORT: “No, winning the Champions League and this tournament is all I have my eyes on. “We’ve done one and now were in the final of the next so for me, winning on Sunday will mean everything to have that trophy back to back and obviously I’ve won the Champions League as well. “That’s what you want as a footballer and there’s no better high than winning these tournaments and trophies as a team. “We felt that in 2022 and to feel that again would be amazing. ” Russo knows all about international glory having been a part of the Lionesses Euro 2022 triumph. The 26-year-old netted four times in the tournament and was introduced as an extra-time substitute in the final against Germany. But she also knows the pain of losing a showpiece final having started in the 2023 World Cup final defeat to Sunday’s opponents Spain. Russo hopes lessons have been learnt from the agonisingly 1-0 defeat in Sydney and England can be victorious in the latest meeting between the sides. “It really wasn’t nice losing in that World Cup final, ” she added. “I think you learn a lot after games like that. We want to do everything we can to win on Sunday and that’s what we’ve said since the start of this tournament . “Obviously, we have history with them but ultimately it's just two top teams going against each other and I have full trust in what we’re building and what we’ll do over the next two days to prepare. ” Russo revealed the Lionesses watched Spain’s semi-final victory together as they kept a watchful eye on their next and final opponents of the tournament. “It was great, ” Russo said of the match. “Another top game. “We were watching it together. Spain are a world class team with so many great players and a team we know so well. ” © 2025 talk SPORT Limited

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