Who Is Alessia Russo?
Alessia Russo is an English professional footballer. She plays as a forward for Arsenal in the Women’s Super League (WSL) and for the England national team. She was born on 8 February 1999 in Maidstone, Kent. She is known for her smart movement, good finishing, and big performances in major tournaments.
Russo became famous during Euro 2022. Her backheel goal against Sweden in the semi-final was voted UEFA’s Goal of the Tournament. She helped England reach the final of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and scored three goals. She was also part of the England squad that won Euro 2025. As of September 2026, she is still a key player for Arsenal and England.
Quick Facts
- Full Name: Alessia Mia Teresa Russo
- Known For: Arsenal and England striker; Euro 2022 backheel goal; 2023 World Cup finalist
- Profession: Professional footballer (forward)
- Born: 8 February 1999
- Birthplace: Maidstone, Kent, England
- Nationality: English
- Current Club: Arsenal Women (signed July 2023)
- England Caps/Goals: 67 caps, 30 goals (as of 2026)
- Honors: MBE (2026), Euro 2022 winner, Euro 2025 winner, World Cup 2023 runner-up
- Current Status: Active player for Arsenal and England; 2026 Ballon d’Or shortlist nominee
Early Life and Background
Alessia Mia Teresa Russo was born on 8 February 1999 in Maidstone, Kent. Her parents are Carol and Mario Russo. She has two older siblings: Luca (age 25) and Giorgio (age 24). Her grandfather is from Sicily.
Russo went to St Simon Stock Catholic School in Kent. She was good at many sports before focusing on football. She trained in the youth academies of Charlton Athletic and Chelsea. She also spent a short time with Brighton & Hove Albion as a teenager.
In 2017, Russo moved to the United States to study at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She studied Exercise and Sport Science while playing for the North Carolina Tar Heels women’s soccer team. In two to three seasons, she scored 28 goals in 58 games. She won the ACC Tournament in her first year and was named ACC Freshman of the Year and tournament MVP. Her college roommate was fellow England player Lotte Wubben-Moy.
The COVID-19 pandemic stopped the 2020 college season. This led Russo to return to England and become a professional player.
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Career and Major Milestones
Manchester United (2020–2023)
Russo joined Manchester United Women in July 2020 as a free agent after leaving North Carolina. Over three seasons, she played 59 games and scored 27 goals in all competitions. She was the club’s top scorer in multiple seasons and won awards including Player of the Year and Goal of the Season.
Her play at United made her one of the WSL’s most promising forwards. This attracted interest from several top clubs.
Arsenal (2023–present)
In July 2023, Russo signed for Arsenal on a free transfer after her Manchester United contract ended. She made her Arsenal debut in the Champions League against FC Linköping on 6 September 2023.
In the 2024/25 season, Russo was Arsenal’s top scorer with 20 goals in all competitions. She shared the WSL Golden Boot with Manchester City’s Khadija “Bunny” Shaw after both players scored 12 league goals. The next season (2025/26), she scored 13 WSL goals, finishing second behind Shaw’s 21.
As of the 2026/27 season, Russo wears squad number 23 for Arsenal. She is reported as the club’s highest-paid female player, with estimated weekly wages around $7,425 (£5,500) under a contract running until June 2029.
England National Team
Russo made her senior England debut in February 2020 against Spain. She has since played 67 games and scored 30 goals as of 2026, scoring in multiple major tournaments.
Her best international moment came at Euro 2022. Her backheel goal in the 4–0 semi-final win over Sweden was voted UEFA’s Goal of the Tournament. At the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, she scored three goals as England reached their first-ever World Cup final. She was also part of the Lionesses squad that won Euro 2025.
In September 2026, Russo was named to the 2026 Ballon d’Or women’s shortlist, one of only two England players selected alongside Alex Greenwood.
Honors and Recognition
In the King’s Birthday Honours list published in June 2026, Russo was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to association football. The honor recognized her contributions to the sport, including her role in England’s recent tournament successes and her profile as a leading WSL player.
She has also been recognized through club awards at Manchester United and by being named in the PFA WSL Team of the Year.
What Is Known About Alessia Russo’s Personal Life
Despite her high profile, Russo keeps her personal life very private. Across official profiles for England Football, Arsenal, and her own social media channels, there is no public confirmation of a romantic partner, spouse, or children.
Russo has never publicly announced a relationship, engagement, or marriage in interviews or on her social platforms, which collectively reach over a million followers. Her Instagram content focuses on football, training, travel, family moments, and charitable initiatives rather than personal relationships.
Multiple biography sites and fan pages state that no verified partner or baby exists in public records, and that rumors about her relationship status remain speculation. This deliberate privacy contrasts with some teammates who share more about their personal lives publicly.
Russo’s brother Giorgio has appeared in media as a rising personality in WSL-adjacent circles, including podcast appearances, but this has not translated into public details about Alessia’s own relationships.
What Is Known About Alessia Russo’s Net Worth
Reliable public sources do not establish a precise figure for Russo’s individual net worth. Salary data sites report her Arsenal wages at approximately £286,000 per year ($386,100), making her one of the highest-paid players in the WSL. Earlier estimates at Manchester United placed her annual earnings between £100,000 and £150,000.
Some outlets estimate her net worth between £1 million and £2 million (or $1–5 million) as of 2025–2026, factoring in club salaries, bonuses, and potential endorsements. However, these figures are not verified by official filings or direct statements, and should be treated as approximations rather than confirmed amounts.
What Alessia Russo Is Doing Now (2026)
As of September 2026, Russo is an active starter for Arsenal in the WSL and Champions League, and remains a regular in the England senior squad. She entered the 2026/27 season as a leading contender in the WSL Golden Boot race following her 13-goal campaign the previous year.
Off the pitch, she serves as an ambassador for Starling Bank’s “Kick On” campaign, which encourages local businesses to sponsor grassroots women’s football teams and increase funding at the community level. In interviews, she emphasizes team development at Arsenal and the growth of the women’s game rather than personal matters.
Her inclusion on the 2026 Ballon d’Or shortlist underscores her status among the world’s top female players heading into the latter half of the decade.
How old is Alessia Russo?
Alessia Russo is 27 years old as of September 2026. She was born on 8 February 1999 in Maidstone, Kent, England.
Who is Alessia Russo’s partner or boyfriend?
There is no publicly confirmed partner, boyfriend, or spouse for Alessia Russo. Official profiles and her social media do not mention a romantic relationship, and she has not discussed one in interviews.
Does Alessia Russo have children?
No. Reliable public sources, including England Football’s official profile, indicate that Russo does not have a child.
What club does Alessia Russo play for?
Russo plays for Arsenal Women in the WSL, having joined on a free transfer in July 2023 after her contract at Manchester United expired.
Has Alessia Russo won any major honors?
Yes. Russo won Euro 2022 with England, was runner-up at the 2023 World Cup, and won Euro 2025. In June 2026, she was appointed MBE for services to football.
What is Alessia Russo’s salary?
Published estimates place her Arsenal salary at around £286,000 per year ($386,100), with a contract running until June 2029. Exact figures are not officially disclosed.
The Bottom Line
Alessia Russo has combined elite performance with a deliberately private personal life, emerging as one of England’s most important attackers while avoiding the spotlight off the pitch. From her unconventional college route in the United States to MBE honors and Ballon d’Or recognition, her career trajectory reflects both sporting excellence and strategic choices about visibility. For fans and researchers, the clearest facts remain her on-field record, current Arsenal role, and England contributions; details about relationships or private matters remain unconfirmed by reliable public sources.
Sources
Alessia Russo
Alessia Russo: Bio And Career Highlights
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