Christine Sinclair announces retirement after 25 legendary years in soccer

Let's not forget Christine Sinclair, who is undoubtedly one of the best female soccer players ever to step onto a pitch. Obviously, being a legend in her sport, a time comes when all greats have to actually ponder retirement, and now's Sinclair's time. She has finally announced that she will be retiring at the end of the 2024 season, bringing a career of an astonishing 25 years to a close, marked by winning titles, breaking records, and leading on and off the pitch.

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But what truly sets Sinclair in the annals of legend is the gift of inspiration-she has, over more than two decades, proved that women's soccer can, in fact, be one of the great global forces.

Unparalleled Career Achievements

You can't talk about Christine Sinclair without mentioning a whole array of achievements that she got on the pitch: 190 goals in 331 appearances, an all-time leading scorer in international soccer, something even legendary names from the men's game did not do, crucial to Canada in their gold medal at Tokyo 2020.

The greatness of Sinclair, however, is not in the numbers alone. Consistent, dedicated, and committed, she has been the pivot on which Portland Thorns, for whom she has played since the founding of the NWSL in 2013, has survived. In her 12 seasons with the Thorns, Sinclair has accumulated titles like three NWSL championships and two NWSL Shields. Her name has been etched in history as the only player to have appeared in every Thorns season since the club's founding.

Legacy at Portland Thorns and the NWSL

All these years, Sinclair has not only been an exceptional forward but, naturally, a leader on and off the field. She has played in 195 regular-season games in the NWSL and scored 64 goals, placing her as the third all-time top scorer in league history. While the numbers speak volumes by themselves, it's really how she influences the game-motivating teammates and being a role model to new generations of players-that shapes her true legacy.

At Portland Thorns, Sinclair became a cult figure: she didn't just help build the winning identity of the team; she is, in fact, the very spirit for which the Thorns stand. Her last home game on November 1st against Angel City FC will be celebrated for all that she built at Portland.

Sinclair and the Revolution of Women's Soccer

While still a loud voice for visibility and support of the sport, Sinclair has been among the most constant voices in calling for the growth of women's soccer. With other greats like Marta, she lifted the game and showed the world women shine on the biggest stage of global soccer.

Her influence extends well beyond Canada and the United States. Along with a handful of other legends, Sinclair was one of the driving forces to change the women's game worldwide. Not many players have competed in five World Cups, and Sinclair was able to do so with style and remarkable consistency. To score in each one of those five World Cups means she joins an elite club with the great Marta as the few able to achieve this feat.

Christine Sinclair's career will be remembered for all eternity, not only due to records she managed to break but because of the lasting mark she was able to leave on the sport.