Tributes pour in for Sinclair in wake of plans to retire from international game
CTV
Tributes were quick to pour in Friday after news broke that Canada captain Christine Sinclair is retiring from international football at the end of the year.
The greatest ever. The goat.
Tributes were quick to pour in Friday after news broke that Canada captain Christine Sinclair is retiring from international football at the end of the year.
"Simply put, she has single-handedly put Canadian soccer on the map," said former Canada teammate Rhian Wilkinson, who coached Sinclair at Portland. "Her legacy is enormous and touches every aspect of sport in our country. She is an example of excellence both on (and off) the field, and we are so fortunate that she happens to be Canadian."
"Very few players can lace up their boots and transcend a sport both in this country and globally," added Canada coach Bev Priestman. "Christine has done just that -- both as a player and a person who stands up for what she believes. She is known and admired by all Canadians and has been pivotal in every single country-stopping moment."
The 40-year-old from Burnaby, B.C., who plans to play one more season for the NWSL Portland Thorns next year, is expected to play four more games for Canada before stepping away from the international game.
Canada hosts Brazil on Oct. 28 and 31 in Montreal and Halifax, respectively. Two more games are expected in the Nov. 27 to Dec. 5 FIFA international window although Canada Soccer has yet to confirm the specifics.
A source said the games will be against Australia with one in Vancouver. The other is expected in the same region.
