AS womances go, Alessia Russo and Ella Toone’s might just be the biggest in women’s football.
The brilliant pair were instrumental in downing the Aussies on their own patch in Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final – scoring a goal apiece in the 3-1 win.
On the pitch, they are telepathic together. That sixth sense was developed during their time playing at Manchester United for three years.
But off the pitch the two are thick as thieves.
Alessia, 24, and Ella, 23, have known each other since they were both 12.
They are the Lionesses’ party animals who are on the verge of securing immortality with an opportunity to win the World Cup.
Read more Lionesses news
A feat our country hasn’t seen a football team do since 1966, Geoff Hurst, the Germans, et al.
Height of fashion
On the even of England’s World Cup campaign, Alessia and Ella took part in a fashion shoot for Elle magazine.
They cut glam figures as their friendship and personalities shone.
Alessia grew up in Kent and Ella grew up in Manchester.
Most read in Football
Despite the distance between them, they became firm friends through childhood.
“[We] both had the dream of one day playing for England,'”Russo told Elle.
“So then to do it and [win], it was special. I don’t think many best friends can say that they’ve done that.”
Although Toone admitted her new found fame has been, “hard to get used to.”
Sexism
Misogyny towards the women’s game unfortunately still exists.
Toone highlighted the discrimination she has seen, but insisted she takes no notice of the haters.
“You do get little things here and there,” Toone revealed.
“But it doesn’t really faze us. We’ve grown up in an era when women’s football, especially when we were young, was not really a thing.
“So I feel it has made us who we are today and made us a bit tougher.
“There’s definitely a stereotype around. But having your nails and lashes done doesn’t mean that you can’t play football.”
‘Party animals’
Last year, the Lionesses wrote their names in folklore at the Euros.
Alessia and Ella played their part. The former scored four times from the bench, including an outrageous back-heel goal against Sweden in the semi-final.
Ella was also on the scoresheet in that famous triumph.
The team’s crowning glory came in the showpiece at Wembley, where England defeated Germany 2-1 after extra-time.
Cue wild celebrations from England’s ‘party animals’ who reportedly celebrated their famous victory well into the early hours.
“We’re social girls,” Russo confessed.
“It’s rare [we can go out to party], but when we do, we have a good time.”
Apart again
Just like when they were growing up, Alessia is now down south again and Ella remains up north.
The striker signed for Manchester United’s rivals Arsenal in the summer.
But that didn’t stop Ella for congratulating her best mate for the move.
“Away from football,” she posted on TikTok to her 340,000 followers.
Read More on The Sun
“I just wanted to say best of luck to my best friend Alessia, moving clubs.”
Team spirit. Togetherness. Sisterhood. It’s no wonder these two are firing for the Lionesses right now.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
