How Alessia Russo went from an adoring mascot to one of the most exciting talents in women’s football
The Manchester United and England forward is growing into one of the most complete forwards in women's football, after once being a mascot for her eventual former coach way back in 2006. Could she be her nation's long-term no.9 after a breakout tournament at the European Championships?
Football
In 2006, Alessia Russo and Casey Stoney crossed paths for the very first time when a young Russo a mascot alongside then-Charlton Athletic captain Stoney.
Fast forward to 2020, and in full circle moment, Stoney went on to sign Russo for Manchester United at the time of being the club’s head coach.
In her third year at the club, United’s no.23 has developed into one of the most exciting talents in women’s football for club and country – just as her former coach suspected she would.
“I remember Alessia Russo as my mascot as a young girl in 2006, when she was in the Centre of Excellence at Charlton Athletic and I was captain of the senior team,” Stoney recalled in a column for The Times.
“Having that opportunity as a mascot gave Russo a taste of women’s football in this country, and now she is one of the leading stars.
“It really shows the impact of ‘if you can see it, you can be it.’”
For Russo though, even in spite of a breakout summer with the European Championship-winning England camp, she sees herself as ‘still just Alessia’.
Talking with Sky Sports following her nomination for the Puskas award after her sublime backheel goal against Sweden at the Euros, the 24-year-old: “I still see myself as Alessia. I grew up in a little town.
“My family are so close to me, I think that’s a credit to all of them - and myself I guess - that I’m a very light-hearted, easy-going kind of person, but I really have high expectations.”
Though humble in her achievements thus far, the United and England forward is already staking her claim as one of the most exciting talents in women’s football and is projected to become one of the best in the world.
Alessia Russo: From United fan to Reds' superstar
Russo joined Stoney’s Manchester United side in the summer of 2020, following the conclusion of the club’s first-ever season in the Women’s Super League in a signing of real intent.
Now in her third year, the talented forward has honed her skills under the guidance of Stoney and now current manager Marc Skinner.
Like many of those currently representing the Red side of Manchester, it is a dream come true for Russo to pull on the jersey after growing up supporting the club.
“To be a United fan and to play at the Theatre of Dreams was amazing,” she told the Guardian after bagging a brace there against Everton last season.
It can be argued that since arriving immediately following her graduation from the University of North Carolina in the United States, she has grown into one of the most complete forwards in the game.
From her finishing to her ability to hold up play, as well as being up there as one of the best strikers at playing with her back to goal, she has every quality needed to gradually grow into one of the world’s best.
And she’s using those talents to help lead the line for the Reds, as they push for trophies and Champions League football.
In a recent encounter against Leicester City, she netted a perfect hat-trick for Skinner’s side in a 5-1 rout of the Foxes, becoming the first player for the club to do so since they were promoted to the WSL in 2019.
Alessia Russo: England's long-term no.9?
Russo had her international breakout moment during the European Championships last summer, when she played her role in ‘bringing football home’ for the Lionesses after they beat Germany 2-1 in the final at Wembley.
Both the striker and club and country team-mate – and off-field best friend – Ella Toone were often used as secret weapons by Sarina Wiegman, with the prolific duo often coming off the bench and making the difference.
Timing is a funny thing in hindsight, because had this tournament not have been postponed by a year and gone ahead as planned, Russo would have certainly missed out due to injury – on this occassion, timing was very much in her favour.
Things are shaping up to look a little bit different this summer, with the women’s World Cup 2023 just around the corner.
Following their triumphs of the Euros, England no.9 Ellen White announced her retirement from football, leaving a big spot to full when it comes to leading the line for Wiegman’s side.
It seems only natural therefore that Russo, who has shown she can play a key role in the hunt for silverware, be the successor to White’s heir.
In friendlies since that win, at full strength, it seems that Wiegman is of the same impression by deploying Russo as her leading striker.
There is a way to go between now and the World Cup, but aged just 24, Russo has all the capabilities to be England’s no.9 for the next decade.