England Lionesses and Manchester United striker Alessia Russo discussed everything off the pitch from insuring her backheel and manicures to coffee, with some 2023 World Cup ambitions thrown in there too.
The 24-year-old told Women’s Health UK’s YouTube channel in an interview of how she hopes to be included in Sarina Wiegman’s 23-player squad for the World Cup later this year, she said: “For an athlete, the World Cup is the pinnacle. Firstly, obviously, I want to get selected and go into the squad. But then I'd just like to [have] the same kind of energy that we had at the Euros, be positive, relax and just enjoy every second of it.”
The striker has been thrust into the media spotlight since lifting the European trophy, although it was the audacious semi-final backheel goal against Sweden that stunned the nation and subsequently put her on the map.
She said: “Would I ever consider insuring my backheel? I'm not sure because it's only ever come out once. But if it happens twice – maybe I'll think about it. But it was a moment of instinct. I'm not sure we'll see it in the future, but we’ll see.”
What got her in the right mindset to attempt such a feat? Russo admitted: “I listen to the same playlist every game day. And it's got the most varied mix on that ever. It's full of R&B, a bit of house music, a bit of country, it just bounces everywhere... Music has always been a part of my life but also my sport. And there's like a lot of songs that I can relate back to different moments in my career.”
As she continues to deliver on the pitch, with eight league goals for United to date, Russo enjoys the moments she gets to relax and does it in style: “In football, where it's such an aggressive, passionate sport it's nice [for me] to have another side of it where I can relax and kind of pamper myself a little bit. So, I always have my nails done.
“I’ll go to a spa, I’ll get a facial or a massage and just sit in the sauna and jacuzzi... I guess that stuff can enhance your performance at the same time. So, it's the best of both worlds. And it's how I justify paying for it. I’ll say, ‘it'll benefit my performance, so I can take myself to the spa!”
United's number 23 tipped Jill Scott’s coffee shop 'Boxx2boxx' as a place to visit in Northenden. Although Scott might be a Manchester rival, Russo did big up her former international teammate’s barista skills: “I have been to Jill's coffee shop, and I must say, I'm not being biased, but it is one of the best flat whites I've ever had! She's the biggest coffee nerd I know…and she's also probably the funniest barista out there.”
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