Mayzee Davies: ACL Heartbreak Fuels Wales World Cup Play-off Push
Wales defender Mayzee Davies says missing Euro 2025 through a serious knee injury has given her extra motivation for the World Cup play-offs against Albania.
Wales defender Mayzee Davies has said missing Euro 2025 through injury has given her additional drive for the World Cup play-offs. The 20-year-old Manchester City player suffered an anterior cruciate ligament knee injury on international duty in May 2025, which kept her out for 13 months and caused her to miss Wales' first ever major tournament appearance.
Davies described the experience as devastating, saying it affected those close to her and that she only later understood how difficult the period had been to endure. She returned to action for Wales in June during the final two group qualifiers against Montenegro and Czech Republic, and now wants to experience a major tournament with Wales.
Wales face Albania in Shkoder on Friday, 9 October in the first leg of their play-off semi-final, with the return fixture in Llanelli four days later. Davies said reaching a World Cup in Brazil would be especially meaningful given her recovery, and described playing for Wales as a source of pride.
She also recalled the toughest parts of her rehabilitation, including being unable to do anything independently after surgery and doubting whether she would play football again. She credited family and team-mates for helping her through, and said improvement came gradually.
Wales go into the Albania ties without several key players because of injury withdrawals, including Ceri Holland and Hayley Ladd. Davies acknowledged the absences but said the squad must focus on those available. She said head coach Rhian Wilkinson has stressed respect for every opponent while treating the match as a must-win, and that the team cannot dwell on who is missing.
Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency / BBC Sport
