Wales are at the beginning of a new era following a momentous 2025.

With key attacking players Kayleigh Barton and Jess Fishlock hanging up their boots following the conclusion of the 2025 Women’s European Championship, there are places up for grabs in the Welsh attacking line.

Enter Mared Griffiths.

The attacker from Trawsfynydd made her Wales debut in February, a month before her 18th birthday.

A part of the Manchester United squad, Griffiths has seen her star rise and rise in 2025.

Having made an instant impression at club level with two goals in ten minutes against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup, Griffiths was fast tracked from the Wales U19 set-up into Rhian Wilkinson’s senior squad.

Griffiths had been earmarked for a senior cap for while until then, often a part of wider squads in 2024 without getting to make her debut.

A first cameo against Italy on debut was succeeded by a wonderful goal on her first start against Australia.

Her stunning clipped equaliser at the Cardiff City Stadium was the on-pitch highlight of a special day, as Welsh football said goodbye to its greatest ever servant: Jess Fishlock.

A midfield-cum-attacker in the mould of a Fishlock, the 18-year-old carries the ball with a low-centre of gravity and languid style – typified by her low-socks aesthetic.

It is a mark of how highly Wilkinson rates the youngster that for the first camp after Fishlock retired, it was Griffiths that took the coveted number 10 shirt for the 1-1 draw with the Korean Republic.

Even with her steady rise, there have been slight bumps in the road for Griffiths.

For Wales’ first ever major tournament last summer, the Manchester United attacker was overlooked for a spot on the plane to Switzerland, with Wilkinson choosing to reward the long-term service of the likes of Rachel Rowe and Kayleigh Barton, as well as the experience of Ffion Morgan and Hannah Cain.

With Elise Hughes also returning from injury in time and offering a point of difference in the front line, Griffiths had to bide her time.

Despite a quieter summer than she will have liked, Griffiths signed her first professional contract with Manchester United in July, signing until 2027, with the option of another year.

“I’m well impressed with myself and the family and so grateful for this opportunity from the club,” said Griffiths upon signing.

“I think once I left the FAW Academy in North Wales, moving up to Manchester and playing with the under 21s there’s always an aim [to play in the senior team].

“You can’t just settle down with just playing for the under 21s. I think every player has to set high standards for themselves and you have to back yourself to be able to do it one day.”

With bags of talent and a clear determination about her, watch out for Mared Griffiths in the red of Wales and Manchester United in 2026.

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