World’s all-time leading international goalscorer Christine Sinclair set to retire

Canada captain Christine Sinclair says she will be retiring from the women’s national team.

The world’s all-time leading international goalscorer will continue her club football

Sinclair, 40, has scored a record 190 goals for Canada in 327 games.

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She will feature in two send-off matches for Canada. Both games are set to take place in November and December.

“You can’t play forever. This seems like a good time to be done,” she said.

During her 23-year career, Sinclair has appeared 327 times for Canada. That’s second only to Kristine Lilly (354 appearances) of the United States women’s national team (USWNT).

As a 16-year-old, Sinclair made her international bow for Canada at the 2000 Algarve Cup. She also scored her first international goal in that debut game.

The legend was awarded the Best Fifa Special Award for Outstanding Career Achievement in 2021. She’s also incredibly a 14-time winner of the Canadian women’s player of the year.

“You will inspire generations of young girls…”

Meanwhile, In an open letter to her 16-year-old self, Sinclair said: “You will stand up to your federation to push forward on a landmark equal pay agreement for the national team.

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“You will help announce that a domestic professional women’s football league is coming to Canada. You will inspire generations of young girls to kick a soccer ball for the first time with real dreams of playing professionally.

“And you better believe we will continue to fight for what’s right. For equality for past, present and future generations.”