Fishlock retires after record-breaking career

Wales legend Jess Fishlock's playing career is over, after Seattle Reign were beaten 1-0 by Gotham FC in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) play-off quarter-finals.

The 39-year-old midfielder began her career with home town club Cardiff City in 2002. She played in eight different countries and collected Champions League winners medals with FFC Frankfurt and Olympique Lyonnais.

Fishlock retired from international football in October 2025 after scoring 48 times in 166 international appearances - both Wales records.

She won three NWSL Shields during a 14-season stint with Seattle but announced in April this season would be her last.

"I've loved it," said an emotional Fishlock, as she wiped away tears after losing to Gotham on Sunday.

"And the truth is I've loved that my last year was with this group, because they have just given me so much, and not just on the field."

Fishlock will now be part of Rhian Wilkinson's Wales coaching staff for December's two-leg World Cup play-off against Norway.

Fishlock, who has previously held player-coach roles at Cardiff City Ladies and Melbourne Victory, joined Seattle for the inaugural NWSL season in 2013.

Reign finished eighth in this year's regular season table to claim the final play-off berth, and they pushed number one seed Gotham close in a game during which Fishlock left the field in the 74th minute.

"Two years ago I was just 'I can't work with these kids', as in I'm too old for it, but they have given me just so much joy," added Fishlock.

"And obviously the older ones, we've just had to rely on each other so much these last couple of years and it's created deeper relationships within what we've already been doing, and because of that I've seen so much growth on and off the field from this team.

"So even today I'm not upset that I'll never play football again - I'm ok with that, I've played enough - but I am devastated that I will not get to spend more time with this group because they will win."

Reign defender Sofia Huerta said it had been a privelege to play with Fishlock, who she described as the best player she had ever seen.

"She came into this league and it was so lucky to have her," said Huerta. "She put this league on the map.

"Playing with Jess has been my greatest honour. I've seen her be the best professional, such a good player, but the best thing about Jess is she's just such a good person."

Fishlock helped Wales' women qualify for their first major finals in 2025, becoming the oldest scorer at a Women's European Championship in the 4-1 defeat by France.

However, she said it would not be easy to pick out one memory as a snapshot of her career.

"I look back and there's just so much to think about, not only with Reign but with Wales," mused Fishlock.

"It would have to be one of those panorama snapshots because it's too difficult.

"All I know is what I'm most proud of deeply in my soul is that... I've stayed with Wales - that was difficult for 20 years, wouldn't do it any other way - stayed with the Reign for 14 years, wouldn't do it any other way.

"Because for me, when you win with your people - with the people that you've struggled with, the people that you've lost with, the people that you've failed with - when you win with your people, there is no better feeling in the world."

Former Wales captain Kath Morgan, who coached Fishlock from the age of nine, told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast programme the midfielder is the best player to have to come out of Wales.

And while Fishlock played for Bristol Academy in the early years of the Women's Super League (WSL) - winning the league's players player of the year award in 2012 - and had a spell on loan at Reading during Seattle's off-season in 2020, Morgan says England's top-flight missed out on a generational talent.

"For me, the telling point is that Jess has played all over the world, and you have to be a good player to get away with that.

"The only thing I would say is that the WSL has massively missed out on Jess's presence, which for me is a little bit disappointing.

"I think it was probably the wrong time, and she'd already kind of decided that she was going to settle over in Seattle, and she was happy there... obviously we've got to respect that, but it's just a shame."