Footballer Alessia Russo says she hopes England's Euros triumph has helped to inspire the next generation. The Kent woman, who made five appearances from the bench and bagged four goals during the home tournament, helped the women's team beat Germany 2-1 in the final on Sunday in front of a record-breaking Wembley crowd.
Miss Russo’s success has now paved the way for other women and girls to lace their boots up and help the women's game evolve even further.
The 23-year-old has been dubbed as football's answer to Emma Raducanu - the Orpington tennis player last year having won the US Open - and Miss Russo says she would relish being able to get the same sort of commercial opportunities as Miss Raducanu has enjoyed since her success which saw her crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year in December. “Yeah of course.
I think it’s a huge part,” the Manchester United forward told Sky. “As a female athlete, you are a role model. “You have to inspire the young girls - or else you are not doing your job.