Oct 20 (Reuters) – Canada’s Christine Sinclair closes the book on a glittering international career as the world’s all-time top scorer, but the country’s long-time talisman declared one of her greatest triumphs had been to be a staunch defender of women’s football.

The 40-year-old, who has 190 goals in 327 appearances, announced his retirement from the Canadian team on Friday, but plans to play for the Portland Thorns of the NWSL next season.

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo holds the international men’s goalscoring record with 127 goals.

Sinclair, who won an Olympic gold medal and competed in six World Cup tournaments, says she leaves the international stage in an infinitely better place than she found it.

“One of the things I’m most proud of is the growth of the game and then here in Canada the fight for pay equity and standards,” Sinclair told Reuters in an interview.

“When I first joined the national team at the age of 16, it’s not that you don’t care, but you have other things to worry about. You’re just happy to be there.

“Just knowing that the team and the sport are in a better place than when I joined the national team… and that the fight is not over. I will continue to fight for this team and the players, in the professional league, I feel like as a woman, it’s going to be a never-ending battle and it’s a battle that I will continue to fight.”

AN EXCEPTIONAL TRIUMPH

Sinclair said she knew Canada’s thrilling triumph in Tokyo was her final Olympics in 2021. She remained hoping to help Canada win an elusive World Cup medal, but that didn’t come to fruition. was not the case, his elimination coming in a 4-0 defeat against hosts Australia. in their final group match.

“I knew it would end just based on what I wanted to do schedule-wise. And then I couldn’t have that game against Australia, the last game I played for Canada,” said she declared. “So it was important to be part of the group that was trying to qualify for Paris, to leave on a better note than the World Cup.”

Canada clinched its spot at the Paris Olympics with a victory in September. 26th victory against Jamaica in Toronto. Cameras captured Sinclair, with tears in his eyes, hugging his teammates. She informed coach Bev Priestman that evening of her decision to retire.

“I’m always excited to go to practice. I still have an off day and I’m like, ‘What can I do so it’s not an off day?’ I think I’ll always be wired like that,” she said.

“But what started to set in was the excitement of having an offseason and the FIFA windows being a break and being able to spend more time with my family and go on vacation and things like that which I haven’t been able to do.since I went to college my nieces are getting older and I want to be able to spend time with them.

“And honestly, you can’t play forever. And this seems like a good time to do it,” she added with a laugh.

SINCLAIR JERSEYS

Sinclair is one of Canada’s most recognizable athletes. Crowds at games are usually peppered with dozens of No. 1 players. 12 Sinclair jerseys, a number she chose as a young fan of Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar.

She has been noncommittal about her future after the World Cup, but thrilled fans Thursday night when she posted a cryptic Instagram video of white soccer shoes hanging from a crossbar with children’s noises who play.

Sinclair – known to his teammates as “Sincy” or “Sinc” – is on Canada’s friends list against Brazil in October. 28 in Montreal and three days later in Halifax. Canada Soccer is expected to announce two farewell matches on the west coast of Canada during the month of November. 27 to Dec. 5 international breaks.

There will definitely be tears.

“I’m sure,” she said. “I’m definitely going through moments and right now I’m weirdly feeling like really good. But around games I’m sure I’ll get emotional.”

Sinclair also led the Portland Thorns to three NWSL titles. They earned a bye to the semifinals where they will host an as-yet-undetermined opponent in November. 6.

Off the field, Sinclair was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2013 and named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2017.

She is also active in raising awareness and funds for multiple sclerosis. His mother Sandra died of MS in 2022, which Sinclair wrote about in his book “Playing the Long Game.”

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