On Monday, the winner of the 2025 Ballon d'Or Feminin will be crowned in Paris. The last four editions of the prestigious accolade have gone to players representing Spain, with both Alexia Putellas and then Aitana Bonmati claiming back-to-back triumphs. It's possible that a member of La Roja comes out on top this time around as well, with Mariona Caldentey a front-runner alongside those two. But muscling in among them is someone who has helped break all of their hearts this year: Alessia Russo.That started with Arsenal, as Russo combined with Caldentey to haunt Putellas and Bonmati as the Gunners stunned Barcelona in the Champions League final back in May. The striker wasn't on the scoresheet in Lisbon, with Stina Blackstenius netting the only goal late on, but she put in an impressive performance and played a vital role in Arsenal's route to the final.It then continued with England, as Russo took on all of Caldentey, Putellas and Bonmati in the European Championship final between the Lionesses and Spain. It looked like La Roja were going to emerge victorious again, having done so when the two contested the World Cup final in 2023 - until Russo intervened. Her headed equaliser was crucial in wrestling back some momentum before England eventually emerged victorious on penalties, completing a 2024-25 season which has put the 26-year-old right in the mix on Monday night.