Alessia Russo and Ella Toone, former teammates at Manchester United and close friends, recently appeared on a podcast to discuss their friendship and life off the field. Despite being “complete opposites,” the two maintain a strong bond and communicate regularly. They first met as teenagers while playing for the England national team and went on to win the European Championship in 2022.
In the podcast, Russo and Toone revealed some interesting details about their differences. Russo developed a love for country music during her time in the United States, while Toone admits that it all “sounds the same” to her. They also have divergent preferences when it comes to food, with Russo favoring Japanese cuisine and Toone opting for something as simple as chips. Another disparity is their views on coffee; Russo is a big fan, but Toone claims she doesn’t need it, although she still joins her friend for coffee dates and orders orange juice to avoid FOMO (fear of missing out). Toone also shared her dislike for London, finding the people there “a bit rude” and the public transport anxiety-inducing. As a result, she prefers to stay in Tyldesley, her hometown.
Despite their differences, Russo and Toone discovered a commonality early on in their friendship – they wore the same trainers to their first England camp. This shared taste in footwear brought them closer together.
Russo’s time playing college soccer in the United States had an impact on her language and terminology. Toone revealed that her friend adopted some “cringey” Americanisms during her brief stay, including referring to penalty kicks as “pk’s” and occasionally using the term “soccer” instead of “football.” Toone found these habits amusing, especially considering Russo had only been in the US for a month.
In episode two of the podcast, Russo jokingly suggests that Toone has a “Wigan accent,” which the midfielder vehemently denies. Toone clarifies that she does have a Manchester postcode, although her family pays taxes to Wigan council.
Both Russo and Toone have experienced a surge in fame following their success with the England national team. The popularity of women’s football has grown significantly, with twice as many registered female football teams in England compared to seven years ago. The World Cup final between England and Spain in 2023 attracted 14.4 million viewers. Toone and Russo have become major stars, even appearing on the cover of Elle magazine.
While the newfound fame brings its benefits, it also presents challenges. Russo mentions that many of the Lionesses, including herself, struggled after the European Championship due to increased scrutiny. They went from simply playing football to facing constant scrutiny and criticism. Toone shares a bizarre moment she experienced post-Euros when a photograph of her eating a pasty appeared in the press, highlighting the intrusive nature of fame.
Overall, the podcast provides an intimate glimpse into the lives and friendship of Alessia Russo and Ella Toone. Despite their differences, they remain close friends who support each other both on and off the field. Their experiences shed light on the challenges and rewards of being professional women footballers in today’s world.