- Christine Sinclair announces retirement at the end of the 2023 season
- Farewell tour across Canada to end of the season
Christine Sinclaire spoke at a Thursday press conference, announcing she will officially retire from international competition at the end of 2023.
A Storied Career and Lasting Legacy
The all-time women’s international top goal scorer, Christine Sinclair, has finally decided to hang up her cleats after over 23 seasons of play. The 40-year-old said she was proud of her overall longevity in the sport.
Having played in six World Cups and four Olympic Games, Sinclair has managed to create one of the most impressive soccer resumes of all time.
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Emotions and Expectations
With her passion for the game evident, she is sure to play her heart out in her final four games. Even going so far as to admit to having some “mixed emotions” regarding her announcement.
While not one to revel in the spotlight, Sinclair lamented about the attention she will be receiving in the coming weeks. Seeing as she is such a down-to-earth person, it’s also quite nerve-wracking that it only took Halifax 20 minutes to completely sell out her game’s third last game.
Sinclair warned, “I just have told people I don’t want to be surprised by anything.”
Gratitude and Reflection
Despite her serious demeanour, Sinclair’s retirement from the international scene is unlikely to be free of surprises. Even the smallest plays will be met with jubilation from fans.
She did mention her gratitude as well, stating, “I do realize this is a great opportunity to play four games across Canada and, for me, to be able to say thank you to the fans.”
The Canadian national team itself is coming off a major 4-1 win over Jamaica back in September. As Sinclair mentioned, she felt much better after somewhat redeeming the disappointing World Cup.
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A New Role and Final Games
Specifically, she was referring to helping her team qualify for the next Paris Olympics, although Sinclair claimed to have no interest in playing herself. Even now, her role has changed to a more withdrawn position compared to her prime.
Her last goal was on July 5, 2022, in a 6-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago at the CONCACAF W Championship in Mexico.
However, it will nonetheless be quite nice to have her last two games over in her neck of the woods in B.C.
Sinclair, whose 327 matches are second only to the retired Kristine Lilly’s 354, will surely be celebrated across the country in games in Montreal, Halifax, Langford, B.C., and Vancouver.
As Christine Sinclair takes her final bow, her humility, leadership, and unwavering contributions to Canadian soccer will continue to resonate with fans and inspire future generations. The unassuming legend, who has fought for gender equality in soccer, leaves a legacy that will endure long after her retirement.
