Pitch-sized mural of Wales star Fishlock unveiled

Jess Fishlock, who has 162 caps and 47 international goals, has been described as a footballing "icon"

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 made history last year by breaking Wales' all-time goal scoring record

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 the Netherlands 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.

Fishlock's sister, Francessca, said: "This is a very good representation of what Jess looks like. It's brilliant because she started playing here so it's very nostalgic.

"We are always proud of her, we hope this artwork will inspire and bring the community together somewhere nice to play and reflect what this community does.

"Usually, Jess is just a bit shorter than me so it is a bit daunting to see her at this size."

A teacher at nearby Willows School, she added: "The kids are like 'Miss they're painting your sister at Splott park have you seen it?' So there's been a real buzz about it."

Francessca Fishlock said it is "nostalgic" to see her sister painted on the pitch she started playing football on

Lola, 15, said: "It inspires me seeing a Welsh footballer on the pitch because when I use to watch games with my nan she'd say she never had the opportunity to play football.

"Back then it was stereotypical as a boys' sport and now you see so many young girls wanting to play because the woman playing for Wales are inspiring us."

Lilly, 14, said: "When a painting is done it's usually for big men's teams of Manchester United or whoever and I think this will bring more confidence to girls to see a woman, especially in Wales."

Yusuf Ishmail, co-founder of Unify said: "As soon as I saw the Welsh women's team qualify I knew that we had to do something really special."

He said the design was created first and once they found a surface they decided tennis court paint was the best idea.

He said many artists helped paint the mural and "two specialist artists from the Netherlands" painted her face and shirt.