Alessia Russo
A powerhouse forward whose audacious backheel goal captured a nation, becoming the symbol of England's triumphant rise in women's football.
Born 1999 (age 27)·English footballer·Birthday: February 8·Generation Z
Biography
Alessia Russo scored a nonchalant backheel goal against Sweden in the semi-final of England's victorious UEFA Euro 2022 campaign. Hailing from Maidstone, she trained in the Chelsea academy before playing at the University of North Carolina. Returning to England, she joined Manchester United's fledgling professional side and became its heartbeat through her physicality, hold-up play, and spectacular shots. A high-profile move to Arsenal followed, where she continues as a talismanic presence.
Generation Z
1997–2012
Born into smartphones, social media, and school shootings. The most diverse generation in history. Pragmatic about money, fluid about identity, anxious about the climate. They do not remember a world before the internet.
Alessia was born in 1999, placing them squarely in the Generation Z. The events that shaped this generation — social media, climate anxiety, and a pandemic — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Alessia Was Born
The biggest hits of 1999
#1 Movie
Star Wars: Episode I
Best Picture
American Beauty
#1 TV Show
ER
Alessia's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1999Born
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2004Started school
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2012Became a teenager
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2015Could drive
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2017Could vote
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2020Turned 21
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 27 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Scored a legendary backheel goal for England in the semi-final of UEFA Women's Euro 2022, which the team went on to win.
- Won the Football Writers' Association Women's Footballer of the Year award for the 2024-25 season.
- Was Manchester United Women's top scorer for two consecutive seasons (2020-21, 2021-22).
- Helped Arsenal win the 2023-24 Women's League Cup, scoring in the final.
- Named to the UEFA Women's Champions League Squad of the Season for 2022-23.
Did You Know?
She played college soccer in the United States for the North Carolina Tar Heels, following in the footsteps of Mia Hamm.
She represented England in youth football as a center-back before switching to forward.
Her father, Mario, played professional football in Italy for clubs like Bari and Salernitana.
She is an ambassador for the charity 'Street Soccer Foundation.'
She has a degree in communications from the University of North Carolina.
“I just thought, 'Why not?' It was one of those where you don't really think, you just do.”
