Arsenal and England, Alessia Russo, grew up collecting football stickers and commercial letters, as well as most other young fans and aspiring future players.
But at that age, the players I was collecting and exchanged were male stars.
Even for someone born in 1999, who was fortunate enough to enjoy a career from day one, unlike many older teammates, visible women’s football stars were not part of their childhood.
Players like Kelly Smith, Alex Scott, Rachel Yankey and Jill Scott were superstaries of the few dedicated women who knew women’s football, but it was a very small market and the game had not yet permeated the wider cultural space where these players also existed in the minds of people beyond sport.
The rapid growth of women’s football in England in recent years, promoted by progressive success in the field of lions since 2019 and exploiting in 2022, has also been accelerated by the increase in visibility of the players themselves, in marketing, goods and appearances in the media.
One of the main factors in women’s football growth is to serve the thirst for fanatic culture. People not only want to see a 90 -minute game once or twice a week, they want to live and breathe every day. These are dedicated print shirts, other official or unofficial goods, … pic.twitter.com/xm84ioyvud
– Jamie Spencer (@Jamiespencer155) January 27, 2025
Panini has been a pilot of this, first with the success of the official Albums of Barclays WSL stickers since last season, and now the launch of the First WSL Adrenalyn XL Commercial Cards Of the iconic brand.
“I used to collect Panini letters and stickers and change them in the yard when it was younger. It is good for women’s football to be involved in it. I am very grateful to be part of everything,” Russo said that the new collection for sale is marked this week.
In the 360 ​​card collection, Russo is one of the five gold bridents, the most desirable articles to find, next to Lauren James de Chelsea and Grace Clinton by Manchester United.
“Being in the collection as a Golden Baller, it’s not something I thought. But it’s great, and I’m really grateful,” Russo said.
“I remember the male card trade when I was a kid, and to have WSL cards and women’s letters, it is incredible. It is more visible to the game and shows that football is a place for everyone.
“Panini’s participation in the female game is excellent. Commercial letters when you are a child is a kind of kind of love for football. And I know when I was younger, I loved getting new stickers and picking them up. Having the women’s collection now is fantastic now.
“Hopefully I can inspire more girls in future generations.”
Alessia Russo spoke with Fiefootball at the launching event of the Super League Super League Commerce Card Collection. The album is now available to the United Kingdom retailers.
