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wales‘Record goalscorer Jess Fishlock has announced his retirement from international football after next week’s friendly against Australia.
The 38-year-old Seattle Reign midfielder, Who has scored 48 goals for his country, Will play his 166th and final international match against Matilda at the Cardiff City Stadium on 25 October.
Fishlock said: “After 19 years and the most incredible journey of proudly representing my country, I have decided that the match against Australia will be my last in the Reds for Cymru.
“Ever since I kicked my first ball with my brothers at 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 more than 150 times. Every minute was a joy, a privilege and an honour.”
After making her senior international debut against Switzerland in 2006, Fishlock became the first male or female footballer to make 100 appearances for Wales against Northern Ireland in 2017, marking her milestone by scoring in a 3–1 win.
She became her country’s leading international scorer when she scored her 45th goal in a 2–0 European Championship qualifying win against Kosovo in July 2024.
After helping Wales qualify for their first major women’s tournament at the 2025 European Championships, Fishlock became the oldest scorer in the women’s competition against France at the age of 38 years and 176 days.
He said, “The Euros were the pinnacle of my football career, seeing the Dragons on the world stage for the first time will be a memory that will stay with me for the rest of my life.”
“To all the players and staff, past and present, Deolch (thank you). It’s been an incredible journey. The team has always felt like a family and after all the good and bad times, we finally achieved what we always dreamed of.”
Fishlock, who began his career at his hometown club Cardiff and had stints at other clubs including Glasgow City, Melbourne Victory, Frankfurt and Lyon, thanked his wife, former Seattle teammate Tziara King, friends and family for their support.
She added, “I love you all. Without all of your support, getting me through the tough moments, I would never have been able to achieve what I have.”
“My mother, a woman whose love and guidance allowed me to pursue and reach my dreams. You believed in me before I believed in myself.
“To my wife Taziara, for learning about our beautiful country and always supporting me and us. Thank you.”
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