Wales icon Fishlock hopes for new Seattle Reign deal

Midfielder Jess Fishlock scored a goal and claimed an assist for Wales at Euro 2025

International friendly: Wales v Australia

Venue: Cardiff City Stadium Date: Saturday, 25 Oct October Kick-off: 14:00 BST

Coverage: Live on iPlayer and BBC One Wales, BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Wales and Radio Cymru, the BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary.

Jess Fishlock hopes to carry on playing for Seattle Reign for another season after announcing her plans to retire from international duty.

Fishlock will play her final match for Wales against Australia at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday, 25 October (14:00 BST).

But the 38-year-old - whose current contract expires at the end of the season - wants to sign a new one-year deal with her club.

"I'm hoping to carry on for one more year," said Fishlock.

"We're in the process of going through what that looks like right now.

"I don't intend to retire fully, just from international [football] right now."

Fishlock is Wales' all-time leading cap holder and goalscorer and will win her 166th and final cap against the Matildas.

Having starred at Euro 2025, she was tempted to carry on playing for Wales to try and help them qualify for the World Cup in 2027.

"There was a big temptation to stay on for that, but in the end I didn't think that was the smart or the right thing to do for myself or for Wales," Fishlock added.

"I made the decision post Euros. It wasn't a decision that I made lightly.

"It took me a couple of months to really figure out what I wanted to do.

"I had conversations with my family and partner and came to the decision that this was the right time to say goodbye.

"In the end I just felt that I wouldn't be able to commit to the cycles as much as I have in the past, and that's not who I am.

"If I commit to something I like to commit to it full throttle, and I just felt I couldn't really do that, so I knew it was the right time to walk away.

"It's time for the new group to take Wales forward, and when you put that all together it really was an easy decision."

Jess Fishlock scored for Wales against France at Euro 2025 to become the oldest scorer in women's Euro finals history aged 38 years and 176 days

Wales in 'good hands'

After Fishlock's farewell, Wales's focus will turn to trying to qualify for the World Cup in Brazil in 2027.

As well as Fishlock, Kayleigh Barton has also announced her retirement from international football.

But even though Wales have lost more than 250 caps worth of experience, Fishlock still believes that they can qualify for a World Cup for the first time in their history.

"I'm very confident. That's also what makes this decision a lot easier," she explained.

"The group of players that we have, and the manager we have - 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 that Wales is in good hands.

"They're more than capable of creating their own memories and their own dreams.

"It's up to them to take Wales forward now. I truly believe that they can and I'm excited to see them do it."

A future in the Wales dugout?

Fishlock has completed some coaching qualifications, but has also suggested that she could pursue a career in politics.

Asked if she would like to return to the international setup to manage Wales one day, she refused to rule out the possibility.

"That's a big question. I don't know," said Fishlock.

"I haven't thought past what I'm doing next month to be honest.

"Do I want to be back in Wales at some point? Yeah, probably. But in what capacity I have no idea."