Honored by FIFA for her goal-scoring exploits Monday, Canada captain Christine Sinclair confirmed she has more to do on and off the soccer pitch.
The 38-year-old from Burnaby, B.C., the world’s all-time leading scorer, has committed to playing the next two seasons with Portland and Canada leading up to the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
“I feel healthy, feel good,” Sinclair told The Canadian Press. “And especially with the turnaround from the [Tokyo] Olympics to the [2023] World Cup — there’s qualifications this summer — I told [coach] Bev [Priestman] that obviously I’ll take it year by year, but to count me in.
“And then obviously here in Portland [with the NWSL Thorns], I want to do everything I can here to help continue to grow the game an grow this organization. I’m ready for a little bit more to go.”
Asked whether that contains the 2024 Olympics in Paris, Sinclair replied: “I’m not guaranteeing that.”
“One thing at a time,” she added with a laugh.
Sinclair has not talked about retirement in the past.
But she also had not specified how long she might continue to play.
Sinclair has already taken part in five World Cups, four Olympic tournaments and been shortlisted for FIFA women’s world player of the year seven times (in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2016).
Her bulging trophy cabinet got another piece of shiny hardware as the world governing body of soccer presented Sinclair with The Best FIFA Special Award during its Best FIFA Football 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 colours.
“Canada Soccer’s women’s national team and no doubt the whole of Canada is immensely happy and proud to see Christine get the recognition she deserves globally for her contribution to the game both on and off the pitch,” Canada head coach Bev Priestman said in a statement.
