Jess Fishlock 'deserves' to break Wales goal record, says current holder Helen Ward

Women's Euros 2025 qualifying: Wales 4-0 Croatia - highlights

Former Wales striker Helen Ward says Jess Fishlock "deserves" to claim her crown as Wales' record goalscorer.

Ward played 105 games for Wales, scoring 44 goals, before retiring in March 2023 at the age of 36.

Fishlock scored twice in Friday's Euro 2025 qualifier as Wales beat Croatia 4-0 in Wrexham to take her tally to 42.

"It's been coming for a while, I've played with Jess for 15 years and she's an incredible professional, 150 games on Tuesday," Ward told BBC Wales.

Attacking midfielder Fishlock is Wales' record cap holder and is set to play her 150th game for her country against Kosovo on Tuesday in another Euro qualifier.

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Former striker Helen Ward holds Wales' goalscoring record with 44 from 105 games

"There isn't a person more deserving to hold all the records because she's that good, she's a superstar not just here in Wales but globally as well," Ward told Radio Wales Breakfast.

"I said on the radio last night [commentating on Wales' win over Croatia] that I'll be the first one to give her a cwtch [hug] when she does break that record, because there's no ifs and buts about it, she will do it.

"I wouldn't be surprised to see her do it in Kosovo on Tuesday, to be honest."

Fishlock, 37, has said that this will probably be her last international campaign as Wales, under new manager Rhian Wilkinson, bid to reach a major finals for the first time.

"Her [Fishlock] natural ability is one thing, she's an exceptional footballer which we can all see, but it's the way she holds herself around this group in particular," Ward added.

"I've never played with her at club level so I can't speak for that, but what she brings to the team she works so selflessly - it is all about her but she doesn't make it all about her.

"We saw the Rachel Rowe goal [against Croatia], Jess could have gone on her own - gone for the hat-trick and all the headlines - but she sees Rachel Rowe in a better position and puts it on a plate for her and that epitomises her and the team."

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