Wales midfielder Jess Fishlock has announced her retirement from international football.
The 38-year-old has played for Wales for almost two decades, becoming the most capped player (165) and all-time goalscorer (48) in both men’s and women’s football.
She made history this summer when Wales appeared in their first major tournament, playing in Euro 2025 – a long-held dream for Fishlock, who captained the team. She scored her first ever goal on the big stage against France.
She will bid farewell to Wales on Saturday October 22 when the Dragons take on Australia in an international friendly at Cardiff City Stadium – the city in which Fishlock was born and began her career.
In a statement, the Seattle Reign midfielder said: “After 19 years and the most incredible journey of proudly representing my country, I have made the decision that the match against Australia will be my last in the red of Cymru.
“Ever since I kicked my first ball with my brothers in Llanrumney, football has been in my blood. When I made my debut against Switzerland in Kloten in 2006, I never imagined I would have the honor of representing my Cymru over 150 times. Every minute was a pleasure, a privilege and an honour.
“The Euros were the pinnacle of my footballing career, seeing the dragon on the world stage for the first time will be a memory that will stay with me forever.
“To all the players and staff, past and present, diolch. It has been an incredible journey. The team has always felt like family and after all the good and bad times, we have finally achieved what we always dreamed of. The seven wise women are now down to five.
“The journey of women’s football in Wales has been incredible and things can only continue to grow. I see so many young girls playing football across Wales now, and the future is bright for our country.
“For everyone involved in the development of football, both at grassroots and elite level in Wales, it is vital that the support continues to be there, and we are not sitting still for a second. Only together can we succeed.
“The jersey is being passed on to a better place, and that is my greatest achievement. I can’t wait to see what the future stars of our national team do with it. I hope you all support them like you supported me, and I can’t wait to join you all in the stands and give our team the support you always do.
“Thank you for everything, thank you to My Country.”
Analysis: It was an “event” to go see Fishlock play
Geraint Hughes from Sky Sports News:
She is a national icon, her achievements on and off the football field have made her a household name that transcends her sport. Few in women’s football are as well known and respected and her work outside of football, particularly in raising LGBTQ+ awareness, has been seen by many as pioneering.
Few British women’s footballers have had career longevity and success. Jess has been at the top of football for around 15 years, regardless of which club she has played for and there have been many not only in England, but also in France, Australia and of course the United States.
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Speaking on Pitch to Pod earlier this year, Nikita Parris, Jordan Nobbs and Jess Fishlock discuss the retirement age and how the growth of women’s football has helped raise the retirement age.
His style and footballing abilities stand out. She has the natural ability to caress and control a soccer ball, her close control resembles that of Messi and because of this she seems to be one of those players who spends a lot of time with the ball. It’s not, it just makes it seem that way.
Her passion and love for football is something she will no doubt reflect, but perhaps here we can reflect how the people watching felt about her. She was an “event” in herself. People wanted to go and watch her play, she was so skillful and had the vision to change matches, which is why she played for so many big clubs.
For her country, respect and love for her grew as she grew older and perhaps as the Welsh became a greater force in international football. Jess said the pinnacle of her career was representing Wales at last summer’s Euros and for many before the tournament and during that they may have seen her play in the flesh. They knew and had heard about Jess Fishlock and what a great player she was, so people wanted to see for themselves, to see her before she stopped playing. It was an “event” to see her play.
She did many, many great things for women’s sports, women’s football and football in general, but seeing not only women and girls lining up to get tickets to see her, but men and boys as well was a unique moment to experience. Seeing girls and boys with “Fishlock” on the back of their Welsh shirts says a lot about her.
These kids and their parents could have had “Bale” or “Wilson,” “Davies” and others on their shirts, but they chose Fishlock. The other night I was covering the Wales v Belgium World Cup qualifier and about 50 yards to my right was a group of guys in their twenties, all dressed in their Wales jerseys. Two had “Fishlock” on the back.
When speaking with Jess, she is often hushed and self-deprecating, but she is keenly aware of her football and off-field accomplishments and equally proud to talk about her family and teammates over the years who have helped her. She was and still is a very good player. Had she been born Spanish or English, she would have won more international honors to go with her significant domestic success, but for her, representing Wales was the best of the lot.
Of her 165 caps so far, many of those matches have been rough and tumble with little reward, but perhaps the journey that culminated last summer at the Euros and a first major international tournament for her and her country is a fitting finale to an exceptional career.
There is only one Jess Fishlock…
