‘She amplified the women’s game’ Jess Fishlock announces Wales retirement

Former Reading FC midfielder Jess Fishlock has called time on her international career, but will make one final appearance for her national side

The 38-year-old midfielder is widely regarded as Wales’ women’s greatest ever player, and will make her 166th and final appearance for the side against Australia on Saturday 25th October at the Cardiff City Stadium (2pm KO).

Berkshire was blessed with Fishlock’s brilliance for 19 games between 2020 and 2021 when she joined the strong Welsh contingent at then FA WSL side Reading FC.

During her 200+ appearances for Seattle Reign in the USA, Fishlock would regularly join clubs around the world during the off-season including the likes of Melbourne Victory, FFC Frankfurt and Lyon, eventually joining compatriots Tash Harding, Rachel Rowe and Angharad James at the Royals.

Reading fan and Football in Berkshire’s women’s football correspondent Abi Ticehurst wrote: “Every time a player retires in the women’s game, I’m immediately drawn to reminding myself how many clubs they’ve played for and the number of caps they’ve picked up at international level and Jess Fishlock is truly a remarkable player.

“I’d almost forgotten that it was a solo season on loan at Reading, not in the sense that it was short-lived, more so because of the impact she had. By which I don’t mean in front of goal, but the sense of passion and pride she exuded in the blue and white hoops. She was pivotal in the strong Welsh contingent and commanded the midfield in every game she played. She amplified the women’s game at every club she played for, gritty and unapologetic in her beliefs. The pitch will be a quieter place without her, but there’s no doubt the women’s football space beyond it has a Fishlock-shaped meteor careering towards it.”

She scored Wales first goal at a major tournament in the summer (Euro 2025) and is her country’s record goalscorer with 48 strikes. Posting on social media, Fishlock said: “The Euros was the pinnacle of my football career; seeing the dragon on the world stage for the first time will be a memory that will stay with me for a lifetime.

“To all the players and staff, past and present, diolch. It has been an incre­dible journey.”

It is understood Fishlock will continue her club career in the US with Seattle.

Tickets for what will be Jess Fishlock’s final Wales game are available here.