Alessia Russo reveals surprise career admission & dream World Cup final opponent

England forward Alessia Russo went stratospheric in 2022, thanks in no small part to the major role she played in the Lionesses being crowned European champions for the first time.

Already extremely well known to WSL regulars, Russo suddenly became known to new audiences both at home and abroad, with women's football available on televisions and live streams globally.

What really threw Russo into the spotlight, putting millions more eyes on her, was her backheel goal against Sweden in England's crushing 4-0 semi-final win. It was nominated for the 2022 FIFA Puskas Award and it is no coincidence that she regularly got the loudest cheers from WSL fans last season.

"I don't even know where it came from," the 24-year-old told former England men's captain David Beckham in a sit-down chat for adidas.

"That's one thing that made the summer so incredible. Every player felt like they could play with that freedom, instinct and show a bit of personality which, in a major tournament seems quite daunting."

Beckham took the opportunity to thank Russo for what she did last summer, for the impact and influence she and the team had on the next generation of players.

"For you to inspire a new generation of footballers - boys, girls, and my daughter, I want to say thank you for that," he said. "Enjoy [the World Cup]. It's going to be the most amazing moment of your life, knowing you have a whole nation behind you, supporting you."

READ THE LATEST LIONESSES NEWS AHEAD OF THE 2023 WOMEN'S WORLD CUP

Players of yesteryear famously worked full-time jobs to financially support themselves while playing for England. Even for someone like Russo at 24, whose career has coincided with the boom in women's football investment and the rise of professionalism, she didn't realise until surprisingly recently that playing the game she loves could actually turn into a full-time career.

It was also difficult just to see top female players because of a lack of media coverage.

"When I was a young girl, if I wanted to go and watch my idols like Kelly Smith, you had to physically be in the stadium," Russo explained. "I probably didn't really think I could be a full-time professional, until I was about 18, just because of the nature of the women's game at that point."

Not only is she now a professional footballer, she transcends the women’s game and everyone had an opinion on her future when she was in the process of leaving Manchester United for Arsenal.

Now, however, attention is very much on the World Cup with England, who are among the favourites to lift the trophy and add to their existing European crown. It won't be easy and the best teams on the planet stand in their way - Russo, who spent three years playing collegiate soccer at the famous University of North Carolina - has one particular opponent in mind.

"The US have such a rich history in women's football and to meet them at the World Cup would be incredible," she said. "Also, Australia - I know how special it felt having a home Euros and they'll be feeling that."

England cannot meet the United States until the final as a result of being on opposite sides of the draw, but it certainly be an epic contest - Russo also missed the Lionesses' win over the Americans at Wembley in a friendly last October because of injury. Australia, meanwhile, are a potential opponent in either the last 16 or semi-finals depending on where either finish in the group stage.

The exclusive conversation follows the launch of adidas’ new campaign to celebrate the FIFA Women’s World Cup, with Russo and Beckham appearing in the film together alongside a star-studded line-up including Jenna Ortega and Lionel Messi.