Arsenal and England striker Alessia Russo grew up like most other young fans and emerging future players to collect football stickers and trade cards.
But at this age were the players who collected and exchanged Russo, all male stars.
Even for someone who was born in 1999 and was lucky enough to enjoy a professional career on the first day – in contrast to many older teammates, visible football stars of female football stars were not part of their childhood.
Players like Kelly Smith, Alex Scott, Rachel Yankey and Jill Scott were superstars of the few who knew women’s football, but it was a very small market, and the game had not yet penetrated the broader cultural space in which these players also existed in the minds of the people beyond the sports.
The rapid growth of women’s football in England in recent years, which has been exploded by the progressive success of the lionesses since 2019 and exploded in 2022, was also accelerated by the increased visibility of the players themselves in marketing, goods and media appearances.
One of the main growth factors in women’s football is the thirst of fan culture. People don’t just want to see a 90 -minute game once or twice a week, they want to live and breathe every day. They are shirts with committed pressure, another official or unofficial merch, … pic.twitter.com/xm84ioyvud
– Jamie Spencer (@jamiespencer155) January 27, 2025
Panini has been a driver of it since last season, who initially with the success of the official Barclays -WSL -Sticker -Alben and the start of the first WSL Adrenalyn XL trading maps from the WSL Adrenalyn XL brand.
“I used to collect Panini cards and stickers and act as a disciple in the playground. It is nice that the women’s ball is now involved. I am so grateful to be part of it,” said Russo to mark the new collection this week.
In the collection of 360 cards, Russo is one of five golden ballers, the most sought -after items that can be found together with Lauren James and Manchester United’s Grace Clinton.
“To be as a golden baller in the collection, it is not something I imagined. But it’s great and I’m so grateful,” said Russo.
“I remember that as a child I acted male cards and that WSL cards and female cards are incredible. It is more visibility for the game and shows that football is a place for everyone.
“[Panini’’s] The commitment to the women’s game is great. Commercial cards, when they are a child, is where their love for football comes. And I know when I was younger, I loved getting new sticker books and collecting them. Our game is now great to have the female collection.
“Hopefully it can inspire more girls in future generations.”
Alessia Russo spoke at the start event for the Panini Barclays Women’s Super League Adrenalyn XL Trading Card Collection with Onefootball. The album is now available in British retailers!
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