Alessia Russo is 27 years old and has become the player who has scored the most goals for England’s women’s soccer teams. When Arsenal beat Benfica 3‑0, she scored three goals in one game – a hat‑trick – and reached 23 goals in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, breaking the old record. This made her the top‑scoring woman in English soccer history.

### A Big Dream in a Small Village
Alessia grew up in a little town called Maidstone in Kent. She would run home from school, drop her school bag, and play with a ball on a tiny grass patch. Even when her mom called her for dinner, she wouldn’t put the ball down. Her friends remember, “Whenever you saw a ball, you ran to it right away.” That’s how her love for soccer started.

### First Teams and Career Path
- **Charlton Athletic** – Her first professional club, where she learned the basic rules of the game.
- **Chelsea** – A bigger club with more training and tougher competition.
- **Brighton & Hove Albion** – She tried playing in different positions on the field.
- **Arsenal** – Her current team, where she has achieved great success.

### A Huge Champions League Moment
Scoring three goals against Benfica wasn’t just one great match – it also broke the record for the most goals ever scored by an English woman in the Champions League. Her 23 goals are two more than the previous record. In an interview with UEFA, Alessia said, “Scoring goals and playing in the Champions League is amazing!”

### Fun Facts About Alessia
1. **Lioness of the Year** – Fans chose her as the best player for the 2023‑24 season.
2. **Manchester United Fan** – When she was a kid she loved Manchester United and later even got to play for them.
3. **Euro Champion** – She helped England win the European Championship twice, in 2022 and 2025.
4. **Golden Boot Share** – In the 2024‑25 Women’s Super League season she scored 12 goals and tied for the most goals in the league.
5. **Friendship** – She met her good friend Ella Toone at a camp when they were 12‑13 years old, and they are still close.

### Did You Know?
- Scoring 12 goals in one season is a sign that a player is shining like a star.
- The Champions League is the highest‑level club tournament in Europe. Scoring there is a huge step in a player’s career.
- In the Euro 2025 final, Alessia scored the equalising goal that helped England win the match.

### Questions Kids Might Ask
- **Why is scoring three goals important?** Scoring three goals in one game is called a “hat‑trick.” It’s rare and shows a player is really awesome.
- **Why do soccer players change clubs?** They move to learn new skills, get different experiences, and grow as players.
- **How is playing soccer good for kids?** Sports keep the body and mind healthy, teach teamwork, and help kids learn discipline.

### A Role Model for All of Us
Alessia’s story shows that dreaming big and working hard can take you from a tiny grass patch to scoring goals in the biggest stadiums. Her journey is a mix of determination, practice, and love for the game.

### Summary and the Future
Alessia Russo has written history as England’s top‑scoring woman. Her hat‑trick in the Champions League, the equalising goal in the Euro 2025 final, and sharing the Golden Boot are some of her brightest moments. In the future, she will probably score even more goals and break new records. The biggest message for kids is: “Dream big, work hard, and never give up."