Christine Sinclair

Christine Sinclair is a retired Canadian professional soccer player who played as a forward and captained both the Canadian national team and the Portland Thorns of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). Holding the record as the world's all-time leader for international goals scored for men or women with 190 goals, Sinclair is also one of the most-capped international soccer players with 331 appearances. Her career has been distinguished by considerable success, including the title of Olympic gold medallist, two-time Olympic bronze medallist, CONCACAF champion, and 14-time winner of the Canada Soccer Player of the Year award. She has been shortlisted for FIFA Women's World Player of the Year seven times and received the Best FIFA Special Award in 2022 in recognition of her status as the world's all-time leading scorer.

Throughout her prolific career, Sinclair competed in six FIFA Women's World Cups and four Olympic Football Tournaments. She was instrumental in leading the national team to a gold medal in 2020, as well as third-place finishes in 2012 and 2016. Additionally, she led her team to victory in the 2010 CONCACAF Women's Championship, scoring the game-winning goal in the final against Mexico. Sinclair's professional achievements also include winning championships with three professional teams: the 2010 WPS Championship with FC Gold Pride, the 2011 WPS Championship with Western New York Flash, and the 2013, 2017, and 2022 NWSL Championships with Portland Thorns FC.

Her significant contributions to soccer have been recognized through a number of awards and honors. Sinclair won the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada's Athlete of the Year in 2012 and the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award as Canada's Female Athlete of the Year in 2012 and 2020. She was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame in 2013 and appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2017. Furthermore, Sinclair was appointed to the Order of British Columbia in 2022. In 2024, she joined the ownership group for Vancouver Rise FC of the Northern Super League. Sinclair announced her retirement from international soccer in 2023 and club soccer at the end of the 2024 NWSL season. Even in retirement, she remains actively involved in the sport, notably advocating for the establishment of a women's professional soccer league in Canada, planned to launch in 2025.