Alessia Russo

Biography

Alessia Russo is a striker in English professional football for Manchester United and the England national team – the Lionesses. Alessia has also played for Chelsea, Brighton & Hove Albion, North Carolina and at all levels of English national football. What started in childhood at the Bearsted Girls U10s, culminated in glory at the UEFA Women’s Euros in 2022 where she scored four key goals, coming on as a substitute. The most famous of all was her “backheel nutmeg” against the Swedish keeper, named “Goal of the Tournament” by UEFA.

Originally of Italian descent, her father played in non-league football, as did her brother. But now, Alessia’s boots are an English national treasure. Adidas and Historic National Palaces have her goal-scoring boots on display at the Tower of London to commemorate her incredible backheel. As a speaker, Alessia is a calming force with a quiet determination and buildable energy that makes her engaging to listen to. Any audience with an interest in sport, self-improvement, teamwork and resilience would benefit from her perspective gained on the pitch and as an international champion.