Wales record-breaker Jess Fishlock has been inducted into the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame as she prepares to bring the curtain down on her landmark career. Fishlock, 39, is set to retire from club football at the end of the season, having already stepped away from the international game with more appearances and goals than any other Welsh player. She was hailed as the country's "best ever footballer" and honoured alongside Chris Coleman, the manager who oversaw Wales' historic run to the Euro 2016 semi-finals.
At a gala event in Cardiff, inductions also included former Swansea City forward Alan Curtis and ex-Burnley winger and Wales Under-21 manager Brian Flynn. The late trio of goalkeeper Dai Davies, winger Leighton James and former Liverpool and Wrexham full-back Joey Jones were also honoured as members of the 1976 national side that reached the last eight of the European Championships. Jones' award was collected by his great friend Mickey Thomas, who was himself honoured for a 51-cap career.
Fishlock won 166 caps and scored 48 goals for Wales before retiring from international duty last year after her first major finals appearance at Euro 2025. Presenting the award, Laura McAllister said: "There are not enough superlatives to describe Jess. She has won titles wherever she has gone. She is a role model." Fishlock, who is preparing for the culmination of her 25-year club career with Seattle Reign, sent a video message calling the honour "huge".
Fishlock is set to join Rhian Wilkinson's coaching staff for next month's play-offs with Norway, as Wales look to reach a first ever women's World Cup. Coleman was also praised for "bringing the nation together" when Wales men qualified for their first major tournament in 58 years, helping the side rise from 117th to eighth in the Fifa rankings.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing