Alessia Russo is one of the most recognized names in women’s football, known for her goal-scoring ability, hard work, and impressive journey with England and Arsenal.
Born on February 8, 1999, in Maidstone, Kent, she developed a love for football from a young age and worked her way through youth football before making her mark on the international stage. Russo gained worldwide attention for her memorable backheel goal against Sweden during Euro 2022, helping England reach the final and eventually lift the trophy.
Since joining Arsenal, she has continued to grow into one of the leading forwards in the Women’s Super League. Beyond football, Russo is also passionate about helping young girls stay involved in sport through her foundation. Her story combines talent, determination, family support, and major achievements on the pitch. This article explores Alessia Russo’s age, family, career, achievements, net worth, and personal life.
Alessia Russo Biography
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Alessia Mia Teresa Russo MBE |
| Date of Birth | 8 February 1999 |
| Age | 27 years old |
| Place of Birth | Maidstone, Kent, England |
| Nationality | English (of Italian descent) |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
| Weight | 68 kg |
| Position | Forward / Striker |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Current Club | Arsenal (Women’s Super League) |
| Squad Number | 23 |
| Signed for Arsenal | July 2023 (free transfer from Manchester United) |
| Previous Clubs | Chelsea (2016–2017), Brighton & Hove Albion (2017), Manchester United (2020–2023) |
| College Career | University of North Carolina Tar Heels (2017–2019) – 43 apps, 21 goals |
| International Debut | England senior team, 2020 |
| England Caps | 67 |
| England Goals | 30 |
| Fastest Hat-Trick | 11 minutes vs Latvia (2021) – fastest in England history |
| Club Career Stats (Total) | 197 matches, 97 goals, 30 assists |
| Arsenal Stats | 65 appearances, 37 goals (as of May 2026) |
| 2025/26 WSL Stats | 22 matches, 13 goals, 6 assists |
| Estimated Net Worth | ~£1 million |
| Estimated Annual Earnings | ~$2.4 million (£1.9 million) in 2023 (salary + endorsements) |
| Arsenal Salary | Reported £450,000 per year (highest earner at Arsenal) |
| Brand Endorsements | Adidas, Oakley, Beats by Dre, Gucci, PlayStation, Adobe |
| Honours (National) | MBE awarded in King Charles’s 2026 Birthday Honours |
| Family | Father: Mario Russo; Mother: Carol Russo; Brothers: Luca and Giorgio Russo |
Who Is Alessia Russo?
Alessia Russo is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for Arsenal in the Women’s Super League and the England national team.
She was born on 8 February 1999 in Maidstone, Kent, and is widely regarded as one of the best strikers in women’s football today. She is the current holder of the FWA Women’s Footballer of the Year award for the 2024–25 season and was awarded an MBE in King Charles’s birthday honours list in 2026. Known for her clinical finishing and iconic backheel goal at Euro 2022, Russo has become a household name in the sport.
Alessia Russo’s Childhood, Early Years and Background
Alessia Russo grew up in Maidstone, Kent, in a football-obsessed family of Italian descent.
Her Sicilian grandfather moved to England in the 1950s and fell in love with Manchester United, passing that passion down through the generations. She began playing competitive football at just six years old for West Farleigh Sports Club in an under-7s boys’ team. Her father Mario coached a local team and would bring Alessia to train with the boys, where she quickly stood out despite being the only girl on the pitch. She attended East Farleigh Primary School and later St. Simon Stock Catholic School, where supportive PE staff encouraged her football development.
Meet Alessia Russo’s Parents, Brothers and Family Background
Alessia Russo is the daughter of Carol and Mario Russo, and the youngest of three children with two older brothers, Luca and Giorgio.
Her father Mario is of Italian descent and played non-league football for Metropolitan Police FC, where he remains their all-time record goalscorer. Her middle brother Giorgio played non-league football for several Kent-based teams and appeared in the 12th season of Love Island. Her eldest brother Luca represented England in track and field at the under-20 level. The family’s Italian heritage is reflected in Alessia’s full name, Alessia Mia Teresa Russo.
Alessia Russo’s College Career at the University of North Carolina
Alessia Russo moved to the United States in 2017 to play college soccer for the North Carolina Tar Heels, a decision she has called pivotal in her career.
She spent three years at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she played under legendary coach Anson Dorrance and scored 21 goals in 43 appearances. Russo admitted she was homesick at first but described those three years as the best of her life for both football and personal growth. She graduated with a degree in sport and exercise science and played alongside current England teammate Lotte Wubben-Moy during her time there.
Ballon d’Or 2026 Nomination: Russo Among the World’s Best
Alessia Russo was nominated for the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or, marking her second consecutive nomination for football’s most prestigious individual award.
She was one of only two Lionesses to make the 30-player shortlist, alongside Manchester City captain Alex Greenwood. Russo finished third in last year’s voting and enjoyed another outstanding campaign, scoring 24 goals in 40 club appearances. The winner will be announced at a ceremony in London on 26 October 2026.
Alessia Russo’s Career Statistics: Goals, Assists, and Records
Alessia Russo has scored 97 goals and provided 30 assists in 197 career matches across club and international football.
In the 2025/26 WSL season alone, she recorded 13 goals and 6 assists in 22 league appearances, with an average match rating of 7.76. Her goals-per-90-minutes rate of 0.64 places her in the 98th percentile among WSL forwards. For England, she has earned 67 caps and scored 30 goals, including the fastest hat-trick in Lionesses history.
Club Career: From Chelsea to Manchester United to Arsenal
Alessia Russo’s club journey has taken her from Chelsea’s youth ranks to Manchester United and finally to Arsenal, where she has become one of the WSL’s most feared strikers.
She came through Chelsea’s development squad, captaining the youth team before joining Brighton & Hove Albion in 2017 for a brief spell. In 2020, she signed for Manchester United, where she scored 22 goals in 46 appearances and won the club’s Player of the Year award.
She joined Arsenal in July 2023 on a free transfer and has since scored 37 goals in 65 appearances for the Gunners.
International Record: England Goals and the Fastest Hat-Trick
Alessia Russo made history in November 2021 by scoring the fastest hat-trick ever by an England player, completing her treble in just 11 minutes against Latvia.
She came on as a substitute in the 60th minute of England’s record-breaking 20-0 win and scored her first international goals in spectacular fashion. Her iconic backheel goal against Sweden in the Euro 2022 semi-final was voted Goal of the Tournament and shot her to international fame. Russo was also part of the Lionesses squad that won Euro 2022 and reached the 2023 World Cup final.
The Alessia Russo Foundation: Empowering Girls Through Sport
Alessia Russo launched the Alessia Russo Foundation in October 2025 to boost girls’ participation in sport and promote female health.
The foundation has three core pillars: participation and reducing the number of girls who drop out of sport, helping girls pursue their chosen career paths, and promoting female health. In partnership with Goals 4 Girls and Sky, Russo hosted the inaugural Alessia Cup in north London, welcoming over 180 girls to a grassroots tournament. The foundation tackles barriers such as low confidence, poor body image, limited representation, and lack of role models—all factors that contribute to girls leaving sport.
Alessia Russo Net Worth, Salary & Brand Deals
Alessia Russo has an estimated net worth of around £1 million, with reports suggesting she could become the first WSL player to earn £1 million annually through salary and endorsements.
Her Arsenal contract is reportedly worth over £100,000 per year, though off-the-field deals bring in significantly more. She has endorsement partnerships with major brands including Adidas, Oakley, Beats by Dre, Gucci, PlayStation, and Adobe.Forbes estimated that between her Arsenal contract and sponsorship deals, Russo earned approximately $2.4 million (£1.9 million) in 2023.
Alessia Russo’s Boyfriend, Relationship & Personal Life
Alessia Russo keeps her private life away from the spotlight, and she is not believed to be in a relationship.
Multiple sources report that the Arsenal and England forward is single, spending her free time travelling the world and enjoying time with family and friends. She has been rumoured to be linked with footballer Patrick Brough, but there has been no official confirmation of any relationship. Russo shares a close friendship with England teammate Ella Toone, though their relationship is purely platonic despite fan speculation.
Final Thoughts
Alessia Russo’s journey from a football-mad kid in Maidstone to one of the world’s best forwards is a story of talent, determination, and family support.
At just 27 years old, she has already achieved more than most players do in an entire career from scoring the fastest hat-trick in England history to winning Euro 2022 and earning a Ballon d’Or nomination. Off the pitch, her foundation work is creating real change for girls in sport, proving she is as impactful in the community as she is on the field. With her new long-term Arsenal contract and her star still rising, the best chapters of Alessia Russo’s story are yet to be written.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alessia Russo in a relationship?
No, Alessia Russo is not currently believed to be in a relationship. Reports consistently describe her as single, and she tends to keep her personal life private and away from the media spotlight.
Which Lionesses are LGBTQ?
Several Lionesses have publicly shared their LGBTQ+ identities, including Mary Earps, Beth Mead, Jill Scott, Jess Carter, Lucy Bronze, and Fran Kirby. Mary Earps revealed she is in a happy same-sex relationship in her 2025 autobiography. Beth Mead is in a relationship with fellow Arsenal teammate Vivianne Miedema, and Fran Kirby is one of the squad’s openly lesbian players.
Does Russo have a partner?
No, Alessia Russo does not have a confirmed partner. While there have been rumours linking her to footballer Patrick Brough, these have never been officially confirmed, and she is widely reported to be single.
Has Alessia Russo got a baby?
No, Alessia Russo does not have a baby. She is not known to have any children, and her personal life remains focused on her football career and her foundation work.
Which footballers are openly lesbians?
Several high-profile women’s footballers are openly lesbian, including Lucy Bronze, Fran Kirby, and Vivianne Miedema. Within the England squad, Fran Kirby is one of the openly lesbian players, and Lucy Bronze is also openly gay. Across the wider women’s game, many players live openly as members of the LGBTQ+ community, reflecting the sport’s growing inclusivity.
Which Lionesses are dating each other?
Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema are the most well-known Lionesses who are dating each other, having been in a relationship since 2022. Mead, an England forward, and Miedema, who plays for the Netherlands, are both Arsenal teammates and have shared their relationship openly on social media. Lucy Bronze and Keira Walsh have also been rumoured to be dating, though neither has confirmed the relationship.
