By Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press on January 17, 2022.
Canada’s Christine Sinclair (12) scores a goal against Japan at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, in Sapporo, Japan. Soccer’s world governing body honored Canadian captain Christine Sinclair on Monday for her goalscoring record. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Silvia IzquierdoSoccer’s world governing body honored Canadian captain Christine Sinclair on Monday for her goalscoring record.
FIFA presented the 38-year-old from Burnaby, British Columbia, the world’s all-time top scorer, with the special award for the best FIFA women’s football at its awards gala in Zurich.
Sinclair, who led Canada to Olympic gold in Tokyo last summer, has 188 goals in 308 international appearances. She also has 53 assists in Canadian colors.
Sinclair scored her record 185th goal against St. Kitts and Nevis on January 29, 2020, at the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship in Edinburg, Texas. This broke American Abby Wambach’s record total.
“It’s a very, very special trophy for a very, very special best (player) like you,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino, holding some shiny gear. “It’s very well deserved. Fantastic.”
Sinclair, the top international women’s and men’s scorer, began by thanking her family for their support.
“What really matters most are the moments I shared and the connections I made,” she said via satellite. “From celebrating with an entire country to experiencing the grief of defeat with my loved ones.
“To all my teammates and staff along the way, I hope you know how grateful I am for all of you. Together, we have had the ultimate goal of inspiring generations and changing the sport in our country I would say we have accomplished that and more.
There should be more goals to come for Sinclair, who has vowed to continue developing the women’s game.
She is committed to playing for Canada and the Portland Thorns of the NWSL over the next two seasons leading up to the 2023 World Cup.
“The Canada Soccer Women’s National Team and without a doubt all of Canada are immensely happy and proud to see Christine getting the recognition she deserves globally for her contribution to football on and off the pitch. Canada coach Bev Priestman said in a statement. “She is a leader, truly represents greatness, but represents values that any young Canadian can carry with them in pursuit of their dreams.”??
Sinclair has scored goals in 21 different countries and against 42 different opponents. Canada has won 76 per cent of the matches in which she has scored.
Canada Soccer has named his record goal the 2020 Canada Soccer Moment of the Year.
Sinclair was 16 when she made her senior debut on March 12, 2000, becoming Canada’s youngest player at the time. She opened her goalscoring account a game later, beating star goalkeeper Bente Nordby in a 2-1 loss to Norway two days later at the Algarve Cup.
Sinclair’s stellar career has already earned the Portland Thorns captain numerous honours.
In December 2019, she was named Canada Soccer’s Player of the Decade. Steven Reed, then president of Canada Soccer, called Sinclair “a once-in-a-generation athlete who has been at the heart of Canadian sport for over 20 years.”
Sinclair has won Canada Soccer’s Player of the Year award 14 times.
Sinclair, who also led Canada to back-to-back Olympic bronze medals in 2012 and 2016, was named the winner of the 2012 Lou Marsh Trophy (Canadian Athlete of the Year) and the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award (Canadian Female Athlete of the Year). ).
Canada’s flag bearer during the closing ceremonies of the 2012 London Olympics, the veteran striker is a four-time finalist for the title of FIFA World Player of the Year.
Sinclair is also the first female soccer player to be named an Officer of the Order of Canada and the first to have her name engraved on Canada’s Walk of Fame.
She won WPS club titles with FC Gold Pride and Western New York Flash in 2010 and 2011 and the NWSL championship in 2013 and 2017 with Portland.
Sinclair has played in five World Cups, four Olympic tournaments and was shortlisted for the FIFA World Player of the Year seven times (in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2016).
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on January 17, 2022.
