All-time leading international goalscorer Christine Sinclair to retire from Canadian national team

Canadian soccer legend Christine Sinclair announced her retirement from international play on Friday, marking the end of a record-setting career spanning more than 20 years.

Sinclair is the all-time leading goal scorer in international play – men’s or women’s. The 40-year-old has scored 190 goals in 327 appearances for her country. 

Her first international goal came against Norway back in March 2000, while her 190th and final goal came against Trinidad and Tobago in July 2022.

All-Time International Goals Leaders, Men's and Women's

Sinclair played in six World Cups and four Olympic Games for the Canada women’s team. She led Canada to its first global soccer title at Tokyo 2020, winning the gold medal over Sweden after back-to-back bronze medal finishes in 2012 and 2016.

The Burnaby, British Columbia native slotted a whopping 33 goals at the Olympic Games and 10 at the Women’s World Cup. 

At the 2023 Women’s World Cup, Sinclair appeared in all three group stage games, but Canada failed to reach the knockout stage after a 4-0 defeat to hosts Australia in the third match.

Sinclair is expected to make four more appearances for her country before officially hanging up her boots, including two friendlies against Brazil on October 28 and 31, then a pair of sendoff games in late November and early December. 

David Schneidman

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