Alessia Russo says seeing role model Harry Kane win the men’s Ballon d’Or has provided fresh motivation as Arsenal seek to get their season back on track.
The forward experienced “goosebumps” at the London Palladium on Monday evening when fellow England international Kane collected football’s most prestigious individual award after Alexia Putellas won the women’s prize.
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Russo, who is preparing to face Benfica in the Women’s Champions League on Wednesday, said: “It was a special night to see Harry Kane win, I was so excited about that.
“He’s one of my role models growing up and as soon as he got announced, I had goosebumps – Alexia is an incredible player as well.
“It was really nice to celebrate their individual moments and it gives you some motivation to want to kick on.
“I know what we want to achieve as a team this year and maybe it’s been tough to begin with, but I believe we’ve still got great things ahead in this team and in this season.”
Russo helped Arsenal end a five-match winless streak in the Women’s Super League on Saturday, converting a penalty to secure a 2-1 north London derby victory against Tottenham.
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The 2025 Champions League winners sit 10 points adrift of WSL leaders Chelsea and second-placed Manchester City, though they have gathered four points from their opening two European fixtures.
Gunners manager Renee Slegers is determined to build on the win over Spurs.
“The way we played with intensity, with fight, with the grittiness that is necessary in a north London derby, that’s for us the foundation for performances going forward,” said Slegers. “Now we have to back it up.”
Chelsea, who also hold four points from two Champions League games, will look to maintain their unbeaten start to the season when hosting Roma.
In Wednesday’s remaining fixtures, Real Madrid travel to Bayern Munich, Lyon host Inter Milan, and Swiss team Servette Chenois take on Belgian club OH Leuven.
