Jess Fishlock mural unveiled in Cardiff for Wales star
A mural of Wales' record-breaking goal scorer Jess Fishlock has been unveiled.The tribute, which covers the playing area of a five-a-side football pitch in Splott, Cardiff, celebrates her impact on football, equality and representation.It is believed to be the first of its kind in Europe for a female footballer and was showcased ahead of Wales' debut in Switzerland for Euro 2025 after the team qualified for a first major tournament in their history.The mural is designed by artist Regan Gilflin, and brought to life by UNIFY, the Welsh creative studio behind My City, My Shirt and the Gary Speed mural.
Fishlock - who has 162 caps and 47 international goals to her name - has been called a footballing "icon" by Wales boss Rhian Wilkinson.She made history by breaking Wales' all-time goal scoring record during her team's 2-0 win over Kosovo during the Euro 2025 qualifier.Last year the midfielder also accepted an Honorary Fellowship from Aberystwyth University.
Fishlock, who was born in Cardiff, said she enjoyed sports as a child but her love for football developed at a Mia Hamm soccer camp in the city during the summer holidays.She previously said: "My older sister wanted to go to the camp and my mum said for me to go along with her."I just loved it and my mum says from that moment I was like, 'I'm not doing anything else, this is what I want to do."She played for Cardiff City Ladies FC from the age of 15 then, at 19 while playing for Wales, Fishlock was approached to move to Holland to play professionally for AZ Alkmaar.
When the Women's Super League launched in 2011, she returned to the UK and joined Bristol and that year she was named the FAW's Women's Player of the Year.In 2012 she moved to Australia and joined Melbourne Victory before making her move to the US with Seattle Reign FC.She described the levels of the National Women's Soccer League as higher due to the "sheer intensity, physicality and mentality".In 2018 she received an MBE for services to women's football and the LGBT community.Fishlock has spoken openly about her sexuality, saying her experiences growing up made her determined to be a role model in the LGBT community, especially children, after high school was "hell on earth" for her.In 2019, she celebrated helping Lyon win the French women's league then, in April 2024, became the first Welsh player to reach 150 caps.
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