Alessia Russo featured in the 2023 FIFPRO World XI on Monday night, with Thierry Henry hosting and having a dig at Tottenham Hotspur.

The Best FIFA Football Awards took place on Monday night, and Arsenal’s Alessia Russo made it into the FIFPRO World XI.

The World XI is voted on by players, so it’s undoubtedly an honour for the Arsenal star to receive recognition from fellow professionals.

It’s worth mentioning that the award is meant to relate to performances during the 2022/23 campaign, however, so Russo’s win technically doesn’t relate to her time at Arsenal.

Russo joined Arsenal from Manchester United over the summer, so the award was recognition for her performances with United and more notably with England, helping the Lionesses to the final of the Women’s World Cup.

Arsenal’s Amanda Ilestedt was also nominated for the World XI, but she didn’t make the final team.

Former Gunner Thierry Henry was hosting the event, and he didn’t miss the opportunity to sneak in a dig at Arsenal rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

Lionel Messi won The Best FIFA Men’s Player award, but he didn’t come to the event to collect it, prompting Henry’s response.

“I mean… I came,” Henry joked. “I actually have two reasons for taking [the award]. I never won it, so I’ll keep it.

“And (to co-host Reshmin Chowdhury) you’re a Tottenham fan, right? You don’t usually get your hands on a trophy, so I’ll take this one.”