Playing for Wales trumps club successes - Ingle
Sophie Ingle won her first Wales cap as a teenager in 2009 [FAW] Sophie Ingle says playing for Wales trumps anything she has achieved at club level as she prepares to win her 150th cap in Saturday's Women's World Cup qualifier in Albania. Wales are hoping for a repeat of Tuesday's comfortable 4-0 win over the Albanians as they look to take a step closer to the 2027 tournament in Brazil. For Ingle, the Elbasan trip will be a landmark occasion as she becomes only the second player to reach 150 Wales appearances.
The 34-year-old has won five Women's Super League titles, three FA Cups and two League Cups, and played in the 2021 Champions League final. But Ingle says she takes most satisfaction from an international career which has so far spanned 17 years. "Playing for Wales is up there and probably will be the best thing I've ever done in my career," she said.
"Obviously at club level, winning league titles and FA Cups is great, but there's no better feeling than putting on the Welsh shirt and playing with this bunch of girls. " Ingle, who joined Bristol City last summer after seven years at Chelsea, says she feels as fit as at any point in her career having overcome an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury which saw her miss the entire 2024-25 club season. The midfielder or defender is within sight of Jess Fishlock's Welsh record of 166 caps and another Wales great, Helen Ward, said this week that Ingle could make it to 200.
Responding to Ward's suggestion, Ingle said: "Oh wow, I don't know... that's a long way off I think. "We probably only play eight, nine, 10 games a year, so I'll be 40 by then.
"I'm not sure, I'm just focusing on the games coming up and obviously our main target is the World Cup. " The girl from Barry who grew up to be world class Wales must take care of own business - Wilkinson In-form Cain stepping up to the plate for Wales Rhian Wilkinson, winner of 183 Canada caps in her playing days, paid tribute to Ingle after confirming that she will start in Albania. Wales' head coach says Ingle has produced some of the best football of her career having returned from the ACL problem in time to play a bit-part role at Euro 2025.