190 international goals later
Yasmine Elsayed (she/her) // Contributor
Rachel Lu (She/Her) // Illustrator
Christine Sinclair is a world-renowned female soccer player with a record-setting 190 international goals scored, more than any player ever.
Born in Burnaby, B.C., Sinclair’s early career started during her college years at the University of Portland in 2001. During that time, Sinclair’s most memorable achievement was during her first season with the Portland Pilots, where she scored a total of 23 goals and assisted eight—earning her the title of “Freshman of the Year” by Soccer America.
In 2009, Sinclair played for the San Francisco’s FC Gold Pride. In the opening match of the 2010 season at home against the reigning 2009 Women Professional Soccer (WPS) champions Sky Blue FC, Sinclair netted two goals, guiding the team to a 3–1 victory.
Subsequently, FC Gold Pride faced the Philadelphia Independence, a top-tier club that secured the second position in the WPS. In this encounter, FC Gold Pride emerged victorious with a 4-1 score, and Sinclair contributed with a goal.
In 2010, Sinclair was traded to the Western New York Flash, setting the stage for the 2011 WPS season. The striker impressively scored ten goals and provided eight assists. Her outstanding performance earned her the MVP title at the conclusion of the 2011 season. In 2013, Sinclair transferred to the Portland Thorns FC, assuming the role of team captain. During the 2013 WPS season, she appeared in 20 games and achieved a top scorer record, tying with Alex Morgan, by scoring eight goals.
Sinclair’s international career blossomed alongside her U.S. club career. In her early years in soccer, she played for Canada’s under-18 national team before making her senior debut at the 2000 Algarve Cup. She quickly became a key player, scoring goals in various tournaments, including the 2002 CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup and the inaugural FIFA U-19 Women’s World Championship in 2002, where she won the Golden Boot and Golden Ball.
The 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup marked Canada’s historic fourth-place finish, with Sinclair contributing three goals. After the World Cup, she was named the team captain in 2006. Canada’s subsequent achievements included a 2007 Pan American Games bronze medal.
In 2008, Sinclair helped Canada qualify for the Beijing Olympics, where they reached the quarter-finals. Her notable achievements continued, including scoring her 100th career goal in 2010 and leading Canada to victory in the 2010 CONCACAF Women’s Championship.
The London Olympics in 2012 showcased Sinclair’s leadership, with Canada securing a historic bronze medal. Sinclair’s performance earned her the Golden Boot and became a prominent figure in Canadian sports. Sinclair’s influence grew in the lead-up to the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, but Canada finished in sixth place. Despite the disappointment, Sinclair led the team to victory at the 2016 Algarve Cup and a bronze medal at the Rio Olympics 2016.
The 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup saw Sinclair close in on the international goals record, and in 2020, she surpassed the record, scoring her 185th goal. Making it historically known as Canada Soccer’s Moment of the Year. The delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021 became a milestone for Sinclair, marking her 300th match and contributing to Canada’s historic gold medal win, defeating the United States in the semi-final and securing their first Olympic gold medal in women’s soccer. In the final against Sweden, she scored a penalty that tied the game, leading to Canada’s eventual 3-2 victory on penalty kicks. She received a Special Award at the 2021 Best FIFA Football Awards for her goal-scoring record.
However, her final World Cup appearance in 2023 ended in disappointment as Canada was eliminated in the group stage. Despite challenges and conflicts, Sinclair expressed no regrets, emphasizing her dedication to the national team since age 16. On October 20, Sinclair declared her intention to retire from international soccer in December 2023. Initially, she planned to exit quietly after the Olympic qualifiers but reconsidered when the federation arranged four friendly matches in Montreal, Halifax, Victoria, and Vancouver. This series of matches turned into a widely acknowledged “farewell tour” for Sinclair, allowing fans to celebrate her remarkable career before her official retirement.
Christine Sinclair may be retiring, however, it is doubtful that she will be completely done with soccer. She will forever remain legendary after making a significant impact on the world of sport. She broke many barriers and limitations and proved so much for women’s soccer. Her record of 190 goals places her among the GOATS in soccer amongst both women and men.