Wales icon Jess Fishlock explains decisions behind international retirement

Saturday will mark the final appearance of Jess Fishlock in a Wales shirt, and the record breaker has explained the thought process behind her decision.

Last week, Fishlock announced that she would retire from international duty, and her 166^th and final cap for Wales will come on Saturday against Australia.

The Seattle Reign icon began by explaining when she decided to call time on her illustrious Wales career, and the reasons behind it.

“I made the decision to retire post the Euros. It wasn’t a decision I made lightly. It took me a couple of months to really figure out what I wanted to do. After the Euros I had a big burst of energy, and that made um and ah about what I wanted to do.

“I gave myself some time to settle down and had plenty of conversations with my family, my partner, and I came to the decision that this was the right time to say goodbye.

“It came down to the international calendar. In the end, I felt like I wouldn’t be able to commit to the cycle as much as I have done in the past, and that’s not who I am.

“If I commit to something, I commit to it full throttle. I felt like I couldn’t do that, and that made me realise it was the right time to walk away.”

One person who helped make Fishlock’s decision easier has been manager Rhian Wilkinson.

An international herself with over 180 appearances for Canada, Wilkinson has always stated that a player’s decision to retire is a very private one, and Fishlock praised the manager for her help during the process.

“I have nothing but good words to say about Rhian in every aspect. She was very respectful in terms of our conversations, in a sense of she listened to me ramble on to get to the end of it.

“She knows that, had she said anything to me regarding if I could stay, she knew I would never be able to say no to my country.

“Rhian has played and knows how difficult it is to finally get to this stage, and by her doing that, she showed me the upmost of respect, and I’ll be forever grateful for that.”

It does feel like this is a Wales team who are entering a new era.

A total of eight players could receive their first international caps against either Australia or Poland, while there a total of nine players aged 21 or under in this squad.

To some, the retirement of Fishlock will be a cause for concern, but the centurion knows the future of the nation is in very good hands.

“It’s what’s made this decision a lot easier. The squad and the group of players that we have, along with the manager that we have, means it’s the perfect time.

“It’s never easy to say goodbye, but when you look at what we’ve been able to create and the players we have now, I know Wales are in good hands.

“They are more than capable of creating their own memories and it’s up to them to take Wales forward now. I’m excited to see them do it.”

Wales manager urges fans to witness Jess Fishlock’s international finale

Second guessing herself

Despite Fishlock making her final decision, there were a couple of times where she began to second guess herself.

Returning to Seattle after the Euros, Fishlock went on a three-game scoring run, before netting important goals against Bay FC and Racing Louisville.

It’s clear to see that Fishlock can still make an impact at the highest level, but the icon revealed she followed her mother’s advice before making her final decision.

“Even the Euros itself made me second guess a little bit. I felt great, and then going back to club and still scoring goals and contributing is always a great feeling.

“One of my favourite lessons my mother taught me is, don’t make a decision when you’re emotional. So, I gave myself time to let everything settle down before I thought about what I wanted to do.

“Had I made a decision off my emotions then, I probably wouldn’t be sat here. But yes, it did make me second guess things.”

The Super Seven

In the statement that Fishlock released, she stated the Wales’ seven wise women were now down to five.

A group of seven in this Wales side have been mainstays for well over a decade, and now with the retirements of both Fishlock and Kayleigh Barton, it means there are only five left.

Barton, alongside Sophie Ingle, Angharad James, Rachel Rowe, Gemma Evans, and Laura O’Sullivan-Jones, have helped Fishlock a lot during her time with Wales, and the midfielder says she would not have had the career she’s had without them.

“Those six other women mean everything to me. We are such a tight group. I’ve played with Sophie for maybe 17 of those 19 years with the national team. I’ve played with Haz for so long too, and they’ve got me through so much.

“When you play for your country and you’re travelling back and forth and you’re tired, don’t want to get out of bed, don’t want to train, they’re always there picking me up and helping me through the difficult moments.

“I can safely say, I would not have had the career I’ve had if it wasn’t for them.”

The perfect ending

Fishlock’s final Wales appearance will come this Saturday when Cymru take on Australia at Cardiff City Stadium.

Wales’ all-time record goal scorer has a long and storied history with the land of Oz. She’s played for both Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City, winning a league title as a player-manager with the latter.

To close her international career against Australia is a perfect ending in many ways for Fishlock.

“When I found out that we were playing Australia, it meant that little bit more to me as well. Joe Montemurro, their manager, was my mentor for a while.

“I’ve played with a couple of their players as well. I’ve won some trophies with Steph Catley, and I have nothing but fond memories of my time in Australia. They’re obviously a great opponent too and so it’s nice to go out playing against a great team.

“I couldn’t really ask for me to be honest. They are a very fitting opponent.”

(Featured Image: Ashley Crowden/FAW)