Alessia Russo’s salary, net worth, and all the facts about her

Alessia Russo’s salary, net worth, and all the facts about her

Jackline Wangare, Grace Waruguru
updated at February 13, 2024 at 11:54 AM

Alessia Russo's salary has piqued the interest of sports fans globally since her transfer to Arsenal. The footballer started playing as a young girl and has represented clubs like Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion. Read on and learn what the English athlete earns and other facts about her career.

Alessia Russo’s salary
Alessia Russo of Arsenal looks on during the Barclays Women´s Super League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City at Meadow Park on November 05, 2023, in Borehamwood, England. Photo: Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC
Source: Getty Images

According to several online sources, women footballers earn much less than their male counterparts. This disparity is attributed to lower viewership of the Women's Super League (WSL) and fewer opportunities available, a phenomenon that could change as the league grows. What is Alessia Russo's salary?

Profile summary

Full name

Alessia Mia Teresa Russo

Gender

Female

Date of birth

8 February 1999

Age

24 years old (as of 2023)

Zodiac sign

Aquarius

Place of birth

Maidstone, United Kingdom

Nationality

English

Ethnicity

Mixed

Religion

Christianity

Sexuality

Straight

Height

5'9" (175 cm

Weight

138 lbs (63 kg)

Hair colour

Light brown

Eye colour

Brown

Mother

Carol Russo

Father

Mario Russo

Siblings

2

Relationship status

Single

University

University of North Carolina

Profession

Footballer

Net worth

$1 million - $5 million

Salary

Over £100,000

Instagram

@alessiarusso99

What is Alessia Russo's salary?

Alessia Russo's salary is estimated to be in the six-figure range, likely surpassing £100,000 per year, primarily stemming from her three-year contract with Arsenal, which positions her among the highest-paid players in the Women's Super League (WSL).

In addition to her base playing salary, she is anticipated to earn a significant amount through various sources, including image rights, commercial contracts with brands, potential winnings from the Women's World Cup, and her growing social media influence, making her potentially the first WSL player to earn £1 million in a single year.

Early life

Alessia Russo was born on 8 February 1999 to Carol and Mario Russo. Alessia Russo's age is 24 years as of 2023. Her father is a former non-league footballer who played for Metropolitan Police F.C. and is their record goalscorer.

She grew up alongside two brothers, Giorgio and Luca, also athletes. Russo has mixed ethnicity from her Italian grandfather, who relocated to England in the 1950s. Mario's daughter grew up alongside two brothers, Giorgio and Luca, who are also athletes. Russo has mixed ethnicity from her Italian grandfather, who relocated to England in the 1950s.

Education

Alessia Mia attended East Farleigh Primary School in Maidstone, then proceeded to St. Simon Stock Secondary School in Oakwood Park, Maidstone. Later, Russo joined North Carolina University for a degree in Sports Management. The Canterbury Cathedral also gave her an honorary doctorate in appreciation of her commitment to football.

What is Alessia Russo's salary?
Alessia Russo of Arsenal looks on during the pitch inspection prior to the Barclays Women´s Super League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City at Meadow Park. Photo: Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC
Source: Getty Images

Career

Alessia spent her youth career at Charlton Athletics Centre of Excellence and Chelsea, serving as a captain. In early 2017, she had a short stint with Brighton & Hove Albion. She then played college football with the North Carolina Tar Heels from 2017 to 2019. Alessia joined Manchester United in 2020.

Alessia Russo's stats have consistently affirmed her prowess on the pitch. During her debut season with Manchester United, the athlete scored 27 goals in 59 appearances. In the 2021/2022 season, she scored 11 goals in 30 appearances. As a university freshman, Russo appeared in 19 games and made 18 starts. She was the lead scorer with nine goals and two assists.

Alessia Russo stats

Below is a table of her career stats for the 2023/24 season.

Competition

Appearances

Goals

Minutes per goal

Minutes played

Liga gr. 1

14

1

377

377

Liga Inter - Gr. 1

11

3

116

349

Swiss Cup qualifiers

5

1

302

302

Swiss Cup

2

-

-

134

Alessia Russo's awards

The English player's impressive stats have not gone unrecognized. Some of the accolades that Russo boasts include:

  • UEFA Women's Under-17 Championship Top Scorer (2017)
  • FA Women's Super League Goal of the Month (2021)
  • Manchester United Women's Players' Player of the Year (2021/2022)
  • PFA Fans' Player of the Month (2022)
  • UEFA Women's Championship Goal of the Tournament (2022)

Alessia Russo's transfer

Russo's career took an incredible turn in July 2022 when she scored a backheel that changed the course of women's football. The much-hyped goal was during the semi-final between England and Sweden in the 68th minute, earning Alessia global attention.

In 2021, the English sportswoman scored an 11-minute hat-trick in a match between the England national women's team and Latvia, the fastest in the team's history. These achievements went a long way in building her brand globally.

Alessia Russo departed Manchester United, declining several contract extension offers from the Women's Super League team. Her future with the club had been uncertain during the 2022-23 season as her contract neared its end.

How much did Alessio Russo cost to transfer?

In January 2023, Arsenal bid approximately £500,000 to sign the player. However, Manchester United rejected the offer because it came before the transfer deadline. The amount was potentially the highest yet, surpassing what Barcelona offered Keira Walsh to leave Manchester City in September 2022. The deal was worth between £350,000-£400,000.

According to Sky Sports, Manchester United and Russo had been negotiating a contract review for 18 months before the term expired. However, the club only agreed to her terms in the last week of the season, which was too late for her.

In July 2023, Russo joined Arsenal on a free transfer after her contract with Manchester United expired. The details of Alessia Russo's contract remain undisclosed. However, she is likely one of the highest-paid women footballers in the Women's League.

How much do women's football players get paid in England?
Alessia Russo of England looks on during the UEFA Women's Nations League match between Belgium and England at Den Dreef Stadium in Leuven, Belgium. Photo: Naomi Baker
Source: Getty Images

Arsenal's performance at the Champions League semi-finals in 2022 convinced her to move. While expressing her excitement about her new venture, Russo said:

I think the growth of the women's game has been incredible, but particularly at a club like Arsenal," she said. 'The sell-out against Wolfsburg at Emirates Stadium last season was fantastic, and I'm just really excited to be part of this club.

Alessia Russo's net worth

Russo's career has grown in leaps and bounds since her debut in 2007. According to Popular Networth, the forward has a net worth of between $1 million and $5 million. She has made a fortune primarily from her professional career but has also worked with various brands, including Adidas, Gucci, and Beats by Dre.

It is believed that her income from advertising ranges from £300,000 to £500,000 per year, and estimates indicate that Alessia made nearly £4,000 from sponsored Instagram posts in the initial quarter of 2023.

Is Alessia Russo in a relationship?

The Arsenal franchise member lives a highly private life. Alessia Russo's partners and the history of relationships remain a mystery.

Alessia Russo, dubbed the "golden girl"

Her recent transfer to Arsenal from Manchester United has solidified her status as the "golden girl" of the Women's Super League. The 24-year-old has already captured the affection of the entire nation by delivering a remarkable backheel goal for England during last year's Euros semi-final against Sweden. This achievement earned her the title of Goal of the Tournament.

According to Colin Whitfield, a former coach at Bearsted FC in Kent, her second club following West Farleigh, he mentioned to The Sun that she serves as an inspiration for a new generation. He stated:

The girls, in particular, all want to be the next Alessia Russo. She has inspired lots of people, not just at Bearsted. There's a real sense of excitement off the back of her success. I can't see it ever disappearing.

Upon her departure after a three-year stint to join Arsenal, Alessia Russo reflected on how it had always been her dream to play at Old Trafford. She stated:

If I ever picture myself as a little girl, I'm wearing a United shirt with a ball glued to my feet. If someone told that little girl she'd represent the club one day, create so many memories and score at Old Trafford, I can't imagine how she'd contain the excitement.

Richard Madeley and Alessia Russo

How much did Alessio Russo cost to transfer?
Alessia Russo of England looks on during a training session at St George's Park on October 26, 2023, in Burton upon Trent, England. Photo: Naomi Baker
Source: Getty Images

Richard Madeley's interview with footballer Alessia Russo on GMB in 2022 sparked controversy among viewers due to his perceived "patronizing" tone. Russo had appeared on the show to discuss her team's Women's Euros victory against Germany.

During Russo's introduction, GMB co-host Kate Garraway highlighted that she had become the first female footballer with a transfer fee of £1 million. Madeley then posed a question to Russo:

How are you feeling? It's three days on now. If I was your dad and asked you that – 'how are you feeling love' – what would you say?

Many viewers criticized the presenter, suggesting that he might not have framed the question in the same way if the guest were a male footballer.

How much do women's football players get paid in England?

The Women's Super League (WSL) is the top league in women's football in England. Players earn an average annual salary ranging from £25,000 to £27,000.

Fast facts

  • Russo began playing football at a young age.
  • David Beckham has been one of her idols since she was a little girl.
  • Adidas chose her as one of five players to endorse its Champion The Girls initiative.
  • She played football and achieved a degree with a major in sports and exercise science in North Carolina.

Alessia Russo's salary has continued to rise as she makes history in different teams. Her success has made her an inspiration to aspiring young footballers and a cherished figure in English football. Fans will watch to see what her season with Arsenal has in store.

Sportsbrief.com recently published an article sharing all the facts and details of professional footballer Sam Kerr. The Australian footballer is among the leading players globally.

Sam, known fully as Samantha May Kerr, was born in September 1993 to Roger and Roxanne Kerr. She joined Australia's national women's team in 2009. Sam Kerr has a FIFA 23 rating of 91 and a potential of 91. What are some facts about her?

Authors
Jackline Wangare photo
Jackline Wangare
Jackline Simwa is a content writer at Sports Brief covering sports and lifestyle topics. Previously, she worked at The Campanile by Kenyatta University and as a Content Creator (Briefly.co.za, Legit.ng, Tuko.co.ke, Yen.com.gh).
Grace Waruguru photo
Grace Waruguru
Grace has over 4 years of experience in article writing and digital media content creation for various local and global brands. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication (Public Relations) from Daystar University, Kenya.