View source for Christine Sinclair

{{Short description|Canadian soccer player (born 1983)}}
{{Good article}} 
{{Use Canadian English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Christine Sinclair<br><small>{{post-nominals|country=CAN|OC|OBC|OLY}}<ref name="cbc_oc"/><ref name=CBC220802/></small>
| full_name = Christine Margaret Sinclair<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fdp.fifa.org/assetspublic/ce5/pdf/SquadLists-English.pdf |title=Women's Olympic Football Tournament Tokyo 2020 – List of Players: Canada |publisher=[[FIFA]] |page=3 |date=August 5, 2021 |access-date=November 17, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015204200/https://fdp.fifa.org/assetspublic/ce5/pdf/SquadLists-English.pdf |archive-date=October 15, 2021}}</ref>
| image = Christine Sinclair 2016 (3x4 cropped).jpg
| caption = Sinclair in 2016
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1983|6|12}}
| birth_place = [[Burnaby, British Columbia]], Canada
| height = 1.75 m<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://olympic.ca/team-canada/christine-sinclair/|title=Christine Sinclair|date=September 19, 2011|publisher=Team Canada - Official 2018 Olympic Team Website|access-date=October 13, 2017|archive-date=October 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003070916/https://olympic.ca/team-canada/christine-sinclair/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| position = [[Forward (association football)|Forward]]
| currentclub = 
| clubnumber = 
| youthclubs1 = South Burnaby Metro Club Bees
| youthyears1 = 
| youthclubs2 = Burnaby Girls SC
| youthyears2 = 
| youthclubs3 = Cliff Avenue United
| youthyears3 = 
| collegeyears1 = 2001–2005
| college1 = [[Portland Pilots women's soccer|Portland Pilots]]
| collegecaps1 = 94
| collegegoals1 = 53
| years1 = 1999–2001
| clubs1 = Vancouver UBC Alumni
| caps1 = 4
| goals1 = 1
| years2 = 2000
| clubs2 = [[Vancouver Angels]]
| caps2 = 19
| goals2 = 11
| years3 = 2001–2002
| clubs3 = [[Vancouver Whitecaps Women|Vancouver Breakers]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://int.soccerway.com/news/2006/February/13/christine-sinclair-and-tiffeny-milbrett-sign-at-vancouver-whitecaps/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404150008/https://int.soccerway.com/news/2006/February/13/christine-sinclair-and-tiffeny-milbrett-sign-at-vancouver-whitecaps/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 4, 2018 |title=Christine Sinclair and Tiffeny Milbrett sign at Vancouver Whitecaps |publisher=Soccerway |date=February 13, 2006 |access-date=October 14, 2017 }}</ref>
| caps3 = 10
| goals3 = 9
| years4 = 2006–2008
| clubs4 = [[Vancouver Whitecaps FC (women)|Vancouver Whitecaps FC]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whitecapsfoundation.org/publications/news/news01150901.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728174727/http://www.whitecapsfoundation.org/publications/news/news01150901.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 28, 2011|title=Whitecaps Foundation|date=July 28, 2011|access-date=October 13, 2017}}</ref>
| caps4 = 21
| goals4 = 10
| years5 = 2009–2010
| clubs5 = [[FC Gold Pride]]
| caps5 = 40
| goals5 = 16
| years6 = 2011–2012
| clubs6 = [[Western New York Flash]]
| caps6 = 15
| goals6 = 10
| years7 = 2013–2024
| clubs7 = [[Portland Thorns FC|Portland Thorns]]
| caps7 = 204
| goals7 = 82
| nationalyears1 = 2001
| nationalteam1 = Canada U-21<ref>{{cite web|url=https://canadasoccer.com/national/camps/?camp_id=891|title=Nordic Cup|date=February 23, 2020 |access-date=November 28, 2023}}</ref>
| nationalcaps1 = 4
| nationalgoals1 = 7
| nationalyears2 = 2002
| nationalteam2 = [[Canada women's national under-20 soccer team|Canada U-19]]
| nationalcaps2 = 48
| nationalgoals2 = 22
| nationalyears3 = 2000–2023
| nationalteam3 = [[Canada women's national soccer team|Canada]]
| nationalcaps3 = 395
| nationalgoals3 = [[List of international goals scored by Christine Sinclair|190]]
| pcupdate = November 1, 2024
| nationalteam-update = December 5, 2023
| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport | [[Women's association football|Women's soccer]]}}
{{MedalCountry|{{fbw|CAN}}}}
{{MedalOlympic}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2020 Summer Olympics|2020 Tokyo]]|[[Football at the 2020 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament|Team]]}}
{{MedalBronze|[[2012 Summer Olympics|2012 London]]|[[Football at the 2012 Summer Olympics - Women's tournament|Team]]}}
{{MedalBronze|[[2016 Summer Olympics|2016 Rio de Janeiro]]|[[Football at the 2016 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament|Team]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[CONCACAF W Championship]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[2010 CONCACAF Women's Championship|2010 Mexico]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2002 CONCACAF Women's Championship|2002 Canada-United States]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2006 CONCACAF Women's Championship|2006 United States]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2018 CONCACAF Women's Championship|2018 United States]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2022 CONCACAF W Championship|2022 Mexico]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Pan American Games]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2011 Pan American Games|2011 Guadalajara]]|[[Football at the 2011 Pan American Games - Women's tournament|Team]]}}
{{MedalBronze|[[2007 Pan American Games|2007 Rio de Janeiro]]|[[Football at the 2007 Pan American Games – Women's tournament|Team]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup]]}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2002 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship|2002 Canada]]|}}
}}
<!-- NOTE: As of October 20, Sinclair has ''announced'' she will retire from international soccer at the end of 2023, and she intends to play another season with her club team. She is NOT a "former" player yet.  See the article at https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/christine-sinclair-retirement-soccer-canada-1.7002619 -->

'''Christine Margaret Sinclair''' (born June 12, 1983) is a retired Canadian professional [[Association football|soccer]] player who most recently played as a [[Forward (association football)|forward]] for the [[Portland Thorns FC|Portland Thorns]] of the [[National Women's Soccer League]] (NWSL) and, from 2000 until her retirement from international soccer in 2023, was a member of the [[Canada women's national soccer team|Canadian national team]]. An Olympic gold medallist, two-time Olympic bronze medallist, [[CONCACAF]] champion, and 14-time winner of the [[Canadian Players of the Year|Canada Soccer Player of the Year]] award,<ref name=canadasoccer.com>{{cite web |title=Christine Sinclair (CAN) |url=https://canadasoccer.com/index.php?pid=2971&t=profile& |website=tab: Honours |publisher=Canada Soccer |access-date=May 28, 2019 |archive-date=March 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190308043331/https://www.canadasoccer.com/index.php?pid=2971&t=profile& |url-status=live }}</ref> Sinclair is officially the world's all-time leader for [[List of international goals scored by Christine Sinclair|international goals]] scored for [[List of top international men's association football goal scorers by country|men]] or [[List of women's footballers with 100 or more international goals|women]] with 190 goals, and is one of the most-[[Cap (sport)|capped]] international soccer players with 331 appearances.<ref name="BBCJan29">{{cite news |title=Christine Sinclair: Canada striker beats all-time record |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/49925779 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=January 29, 2020 |archive-date=February 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216085502/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/49925779 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Having played over 20 seasons with the senior national team, Sinclair has participated in six [[FIFA Women's World Cup]]s ([[2003 FIFA Women's World Cup|United States 2003]], [[2007 FIFA Women's World Cup|China 2007]], [[2011 FIFA Women's World Cup|Germany 2011]], [[2015 FIFA Women's World Cup|Canada 2015]], [[2019 FIFA Women's World Cup|France 2019]], [[2023 FIFA Women's World Cup|Australia and New Zealand 2023)]] and four [[Football at the Summer Olympics#Women's tournament|Olympic football tournaments]] ([[Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament|Beijing 2008]], [[Football at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament|London 2012]], [[Football at the 2016 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament|Rio 2016]], [[Football at the 2020 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament|Tokyo 2020]]), captaining the national team to third-place finishes in 2012 and 2016 and first place in 2020. She is one of three players to score at five World Cup editions, alongside [[Marta (footballer)|Marta]] and [[Cristiano Ronaldo]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/sinclair-scores-canada-loses-dutch-womens-world-cup/|title=Sinclair scores, but Canada loses to Dutch at Women's World Cup|work=Sportsnet|date=June 20, 2019|archive-date=February 16, 2021|access-date=June 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216085429/https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/sinclair-scores-canada-loses-dutch-womens-world-cup/|url-status=live}}</ref>

At the club level, Sinclair has won championships with three professional teams: the [[2010 Women's Professional Soccer season|2010 WPS Championship]] with [[FC Gold Pride]], the [[2011 Women's Professional Soccer season|2011 WPS Championship]] with [[Western New York Flash]], and the [[2013 National Women's Soccer League season#NWSL Championship|2013]], [[2017 National Women's Soccer League season#NWSL Championship|2017]], and [[2022 National Women's Soccer League season#NWSL Championship|2022 NWSL Championships]] with [[Portland Thorns FC]]. She won the national collegiate Division I championship twice (2002, 2005) with the [[Portland Pilots women's soccer|University of Portland]].<ref name="up_bio" /><ref name=":1">{{cite web |url=http://static.portlandpilots.com/custompages/Soccer-W/2017/2017%20WSOC%20Info%20Guide.pdf |publisher=University of Portland |title=Portland Soccer 2017 History and Records |access-date=January 24, 2018 |archive-date=January 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125134421/http://static.portlandpilots.com/custompages/Soccer-W/2017/2017%20WSOC%20Info%20Guide.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

Sinclair was shortlisted for [[FIFA World Player of the Year|FIFA Women's World Player of the Year]] seven times (2005–08, 2010, 2012, and 2016), and was referred to by college teammate and international rival [[Megan Rapinoe]] as the best player to never win the award.<ref name=Guardian231206>{{cite news |title=Christine Sinclair closes international chapter as Canada's storied pioneer|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/dec/06/christine-sinclair-closes-international-chapter-as-canadas-storied-pioneer |last=Kourabi |first=Mariam |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=December 6, 2023|access-date=December 6, 2023}}</ref> She received the [[Lou Marsh Trophy]] as Canada's athlete of the year in 2012, the first soccer player so honoured, and was a two-time recipient of the  [[Bobbie Rosenfeld Award]] as Canada's female athlete of the year (2012, 2020). In September 2013, Sinclair was inducted into [[Canada's Walk of Fame]] and in June 2017, she was appointed an Officer of the [[Order of Canada]] by [[Governor General of Canada|Governor General]] [[David Johnston (governor general)|David Johnston]].<ref name="cbc_oc">{{cite web| url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/christine-sinclair-order-of-canada-1.4185574| title=Canadian soccer icon Christine Sinclair appointed to Order of Canada| date=June 30, 2017| publisher=[[CBC Sports]]| access-date=June 30, 2017| archive-date=June 30, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630181153/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/christine-sinclair-order-of-canada-1.4185574| url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/charles-sinclair-myers-order-of-canada-1.4185114| title=Prince Charles, Catherine O'Hara, Christine Sinclair among 99 recipients of Order of Canada| first=Peter| last=Zimonjic| publisher=[[CBC News]]| date=June 30, 2017| archive-date=June 30, 2017| access-date=June 30, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630112253/http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/charles-sinclair-myers-order-of-canada-1.4185114| url-status=live}}</ref> Sinclair received the Best FIFA Special Award in recognition of her status as the world's all-time leading scorer in 2022.<ref name="sn-fifa-best">{{cite news |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/article/christine-sinclair-honoured-special-award-fifa/ |title=Christine Sinclair honoured with special award by FIFA |date=January 17, 2022 |access-date=April 25, 2023 |work=[[SportsNet]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |archive-date=April 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426021453/https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/article/christine-sinclair-honoured-special-award-fifa/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Sinclair was inducted to the [[Canada Soccer Hall of Fame]] in 2025, the first individual to have the five-year waiting period after retirement waived by the Canada Soccer Heritage and Hall of Fame Committee.<ref name=davidson>{{cite web | last=Davidson | first=Neil | title=Canada Soccer Hall of Fame welcomes Sinclair, Matheson in Class of 2025 | website=CBC | date=April 30, 2025 | url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/christine-sinclair-diana-matheson-canada-soccer-hall-of-fame-1.7523168 | access-date=May 1, 2025}}</ref>

== Early life ==
Born in [[Burnaby]], [[British Columbia]], to Bill and Sandra Sinclair on June 12, 1983,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://olympic.ca/team-canada/christine-sinclair/|title=Christine Sinclair|date=September 19, 2011|work=Team Canada - Official 2018 Olympic Team Website|access-date=October 12, 2017|archive-date=October 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003070916/https://olympic.ca/team-canada/christine-sinclair/|url-status=live}}</ref> Sinclair began playing soccer at the age of four for an under-7 team.<ref name=can_bio>{{Canada Soccer player|2971|access-date=September 1, 2020}}</ref><ref name=sportsnet_evolution>{{cite magazine|last1=Rutherford|first1=Kristina|title=The Evolution of Christine Sinclair|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/big-read-the-evolution-of-christine-sinclair/|magazine=Sportsnet Magazine|access-date=October 14, 2017|archive-date=May 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517165201/https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/big-read-the-evolution-of-christine-sinclair/|url-status=live}}</ref> Her father Bill Sinclair (1972) and uncles [[Brian Gant|Brian]] (1972) and [[Bruce Gant]] (1990) were all [[The Challenge Trophy|Canadian amateur soccer champions]] while Brian and Bruce also played at the professional level. Her father Bill played for the [[UBC Thunderbirds|University of British Columbia]] and the New Westminster Blues in the [[Pacific Coast Soccer League (1908-73)|Pacific Coast Soccer League]].

Christine Sinclair also played [[basketball]] and [[baseball]] as a youth.<ref name=can_bio/> Playing in a Burnaby boys' baseball league, she made the local under-11 all-star team as a [[second baseman]]. With the team, she chose the number 12 as a tribute to [[Toronto Blue Jays]]' second baseman [[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum|Hall of Famer]], [[Roberto Alomar]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thewhig.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1322107|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613040720/http://www.thewhig.com/2008/11/29/from-strikes-to-striker|title=From strikes to striker|publisher=Kingston (Ontario) Whig-Standard|archive-date=June 13, 2018|access-date=September 24, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Sinclair was selected to British Columbia's under-14 girls all-star soccer team at age 11 and led club team Burnaby Girls Soccer Club to six league titles, five provincial titles, and two top-five national finishes.<ref name=can_bio/> She attended [[Burnaby South Secondary School]] where she led the soccer team to three league championships.<ref name=can_bio/> At age 15, she attended matches of the [[1999 FIFA Women's World Cup]] in [[Portland, Oregon]].<ref name=sportsnet_evolution/> She played for Canada's under-18 national team before making her debut at the senior level at age 16 at the [[2000 Algarve Cup]] where she scored three goals.<ref name=can_bio/>

== College career ==
In 2001, Sinclair arrived at the [[University of Portland]] where she made an immediate impact on an already formidable [[Portland Pilots|soccer program]]. She recorded 23 goals and eight assists in her first season, leading all first-year students in [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] [[Division I (NCAA)|Division I]] total scoring. She was named Freshman of the Year by ''Soccer America'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.socceramerica.com/article/35918/freshman-of-the-year-dimartino-follows-in-sisters.html|title=Freshman of the Year DiMartino follows in sisters' footsteps|publisher=socceramerica.com|access-date=October 13, 2017|archive-date=September 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917152020/http://www.socceramerica.com/article/35918/freshman-of-the-year-dimartino-follows-in-sisters.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> and was a consensus All-America selection.<ref name=up_bio>{{cite web|title=Christine Sinclair|url=http://www.portlandpilots.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=1025|publisher=University of Portland|access-date=June 6, 2015|archive-date=June 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150607035934/http://www.portlandpilots.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=1025|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{quote box|quote="Coming into that program, (head coach) [[Clive Charles|Clive (Charles)]] saw me as a young player, but a leader on the team. He expected a lot from me even as a freshman. I had experienced it before, being young and being in the national team travelling the world. It was such a smooth transition for me and the fact that it was a small school really helped me. I think I would've gotten lost in some of those bigger schools."|source=— Christine Sinclair<ref>{{cite web|title=Thorns FC forward Christine Sinclair on Portland: "I consider it home."|url=https://www.timbers.com/news/thorns-fc-forward-christine-sinclair-portland-i-consider-it-home|publisher=Portland Thorns|access-date=6 June 2015|date=February 15, 2013}}</ref> |width=35%|align=right}}

During her second season with the Pilots in 2002, Sinclair led Division I in goals with 26.<ref name=up_bio/> She scored two goals during the national championship game against conference rival [[Santa Clara University|Santa Clara]], the second of which was a [[golden goal]] that won the Pilots the national championship.<ref name=up_bio/> Sinclair earned three different national Player of the Year honours, and was a finalist for the [[Hermann Trophy]]. Named [[West Coast Conference]] Player of the Year, she earned All-American honours for the second consecutive year.<ref name=up_bio/> In the wake of her success for the Canadian national teams and American collegiate soccer, she was named by ''[[The Globe and Mail]]'' as one of the 25 most influential people in Canadian sports the same year.<ref name="globe">{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/top-25-of-2002/article862149/print/|title=Top 25 of 2002|last=Christie|first=James|date=December 20, 2006|newspaper=The Globe and Mail|access-date=October 13, 2017|archive-date=September 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918193704/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/top-25-of-2002/article862149/print/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Sinclair chose to [[Redshirt (college sports)|redshirt]] the 2003 season to play for Canada at the [[2003 FIFA Women's World Cup]]. She returned to Portland in 2004 and scored 22 goals for the Pilots.<ref name=up_bio/> Following the season, she was named [[West Coast Conference|West Coast Conference (WCC)]] Player of the Year, received All-American honours, and was awarded the [[Hermann Trophy]].<ref name="hermann">{{cite web |url=http://www.mac-hermann-trophy.org/hermann%20trophy%20news%20release.pdf |title=Christine Sinclair, Jason Garey Win Missouri Athletic Club's Hermann Trophy |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218202928/http://www.mac-hermann-trophy.org/hermann%20trophy%20news%20release.pdf |archive-date=February 18, 2012}}, Hermann Trophy NewsRelease</ref>

During Sinclair's senior year at Portland, she set an all-time Division I goal-scoring record with 39.<ref name="usatoday_062706"/> She capped off her collegiate career with two goals in a 4–0 rout of [[University of California, Los Angeles|UCLA]] in the national title game. This performance also gave her a career total of 25 goals in NCAA tournament play,<ref name="hermann" /> also a record. She was named WCC Player of the Year becoming the second player in conference history to be honoured three times.<ref name=up_bio/> Sinclair was also named Academic All-American of the Year by ''[[ESPN The Magazine]]'' after graduating with a 3.75 [[grade point average]] in life sciences.<ref name="ca_olympics_2012_bio">{{cite web |title=Christine Sinclair |date=September 18, 2011 |url=http://olympic.ca/team-canada/christine-sinclair/ |access-date=October 23, 2021 |publisher=Canadian Olympic Committee |archive-date=October 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003070916/https://olympic.ca/team-canada/christine-sinclair/ |url-status=live }}</ref> She was awarded the M.A.C. Hermann Trophy,<ref name="hermann" /> becoming the fourth player and third woman to win it in back-to-back years. As a result of her record-setting season, Sinclair went on to win the [[Honda Sports Award]] as the nation's top soccer player,<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.collegiatewomensportsawards.com/archives/soccer|title=Soccer|website=CWSA|access-date=March 29, 2020|archive-date=July 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190728214651/https://www.collegiatewomensportsawards.com/archives/soccer|url-status=live}}</ref> as well as the [[Honda-Broderick Cup]], as the college woman athlete of the year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wccsports.com/news/2005/12/21/Christine_Sinclair_Wins_Honda_Award|title=Christine Sinclair Wins Honda Award|website=wccsports.com|date=December 21, 2005|access-date=March 21, 2020|archive-date=March 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321124341/https://wccsports.com/news/2005/12/21/Christine_Sinclair_Wins_Honda_Award|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="usatoday_062706">{{cite news|title=Portland's soccer standout Sinclair wins Honda Cup as top female college athlete|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/college/2006-06-26-honda-award-sinclair_x.htm|newspaper=USA Today|access-date=June 6, 2015|date=June 27, 2006|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063354/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/college/2006-06-26-honda-award-sinclair_x.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> She became the third soccer player to win the award, joining [[Mia Hamm]] and [[Cindy Daws]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Maryland's Garey and Portland's Sinclair Are 2005 Men's and Women's Hermann Trophy Winners|url=http://www.coloradorapids.com/news/2010/06/ncaa-marylands-garey-and-portlands-sinclair-are-2005-mens-and-womens-hermann-trophy-win?quicktabs_news_blogs=1|publisher=Colorado Rapids|access-date=June 6, 2015|date=June 27, 2010|archive-date=June 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150607081637/http://www.coloradorapids.com/news/2010/06/ncaa-marylands-garey-and-portlands-sinclair-are-2005-mens-and-womens-hermann-trophy-win?quicktabs_news_blogs=1|url-status=dead}}</ref> Sinclair finished her collegiate career with 110 goals and 32 assists in 94 games.<ref name=can_bio />

== Club career ==
=== Early career ===
Sinclair started her senior career as a teenager with Vancouver UBC Alumni where she won Metro Soccer League titles, the BC Cup, and a runners up medal at [[Jubilee Trophy|Canada Soccer's 2000 National Championships]]. She played youth soccer and high school soccer at the same time and got her first call up to Canadian youth team in 1999. She also played for the Vancouver Angels in the Women's Premier Soccer League (2000) and the [[Vancouver Whitecaps FC (women)|Vancouver Breakers / Vancouver Whitecaps]] in the [[USL W-League (1995–2015)|USL W-League]].

In 2000, Sinclair helped the Vancouver Angels finish in fourth place in the WPSL, although she missed the first few matches of the season while representing Canada at the 2000 Concacaf Gold Cup. She scored her first WPSL goal on 15 July 2000 in a 2-1 loss to the Los Angeles Ajax at Coquitlam Town Centre.

=== FC Gold Pride ===
[[File:FC Gold Pride pose with 2010 WPS Championship Trophy 6.JPG|thumb|right|Sinclair (far right) with [[FC Gold Pride]] won the 2010 WPS Championship Trophy]]
Sinclair was selected by [[FC Gold Pride]] eighth overall in the [[2008 WPS International Draft]] for the [[2009 WPS season|inaugural season]] of top-tier American league [[Women's Professional Soccer|Women's Professional Soccer (WPS)]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bayareasportsdrive.com/soccer/pride_sign_erica_sinclair.htm|title=FC Gold Pride Signs Canada's All-Time Leading Goal Scorer Christine Sinclair|publisher=Bay Area Sports Drive|access-date=August 15, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330195406/http://www.bayareasportsdrive.com/soccer/pride_sign_erica_sinclair.htm|archive-date=March 30, 2012}}</ref> Despite her team-leading six goals,<ref name=sw_2009_fcgp>{{cite web|title=2009 FC Gold Pride|url=http://us.women.soccerway.com/teams/united-states/fc-gold-pride/12978/|publisher=Soccer Way|access-date=June 5, 2015|archive-date=October 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001025243/http://us.women.soccerway.com/teams/united-states/fc-gold-pride/12978/|url-status=live}}</ref> FC Gold Pride finished last in the regular season standings during the 2009 season.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Purdy|first1=Jacqueline|title=Behind the scenes with FC Gold Pride|url=https://www.espn.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/5419412/fc-gold-pride-dominating-wps|publisher=ESPN|access-date=June 5, 2015|date=July 30, 2010|archive-date=August 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180811134637/http://www.espn.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/5419412/fc-gold-pride-dominating-wps|url-status=live}}</ref>

Leading into the 2010 season, FC Gold Pride made several changes to their roster including adding Brazilian international [[Marta (footballer)|Marta]], French international [[Camille Abily]], and United States national team defender and midfielder [[Shannon Boxx]].<ref name="espn111610">{{cite news|last1=Eskenazi|first1=Joe|title=F.C. Gold Pride, Women's Soccer Champs, Abruptly Disband|url=http://www.sfweekly.com/thesnitch/2010/11/16/fc-gold-pride-womens-soccer-champs-abruptly-disband|newspaper=San Francisco Weekly|access-date=June 5, 2015|date=November 16, 2010|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051343/http://www.sfweekly.com/thesnitch/2010/11/16/fc-gold-pride-womens-soccer-champs-abruptly-disband|url-status=dead}}</ref> During the team's home opener of the [[2010 WPS season|2010 season]] against 2009 WPS champion, [[Sky Blue FC]], Sinclair scored twice leading the team to a 3–1 win.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Albanese|first1=Giovanni Jr.|title=Gold Pride win home opener|url=http://www.tricityvoice.com/articlefiledisplay.php?issue=2010-04-21&file=Gold+Pride.txt|publisher=Tri-City Voice|access-date=June 5, 2015|date=April 21, 2010|archive-date=September 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905162943/http://www.tricityvoice.com/articlefiledisplay.php?issue=2010-04-21&file=Gold%20Pride.txt|url-status=dead}}</ref> She was named WPS Player of the Week for week 14 of the season after scoring two goals against second-place team, [[Philadelphia Independence]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Goal.com WPS Player of the Week: Christine Sinclair, FC Gold Pride|url=http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1698/womens-soccer/2010/07/19/2032946/goalcom-wps-player-of-the-week-christine-sinclair-fc-gold|work=Goal (website)|access-date=June 5, 2015|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924155006/http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1698/womens-soccer/2010/07/19/2032946/goalcom-wps-player-of-the-week-christine-sinclair-fc-gold|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Canadian forward Christine Sinclair of FC Gold Pride named WPS player of week|url=http://www.guelphmercury.com/news-story/2719554-canadian-forward-christine-sinclair-of-fc-gold-pride-named-wps-player-of-week/|newspaper=Guelph Mercury|date=July 20, 2010|archive-date=September 24, 2015|access-date=June 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924024104/http://www.guelphmercury.com/news-story/2719554-canadian-forward-christine-sinclair-of-fc-gold-pride-named-wps-player-of-week/|url-status=live}}</ref> The team dominated the season,<ref name="espn111610"/> finishing first during the regular season after defeating the [[Philadelphia Independence]] 4–1 with goals from Sinclair, Marta, and [[Kelley O'Hara]].<ref>{{cite web|title=FC Gold Pride end regular season with 4–1 win over Philadelphia|url=http://www.centerlinesoccer.com/2010/9/11/5648834/fc-gold-pride-end-regular-season-with-4-1-win-over-philadelphia|publisher=Center Line Soccer|access-date=June 5, 2015|date=September 11, 2010|archive-date=December 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220165810/https://www.centerlinesoccer.com/2010/9/11/5648834/fc-gold-pride-end-regular-season-with-4-1-win-over-philadelphia|url-status=live}}</ref>

As the regular season champion, FC Gold Pride earned a direct route to the championship playoff game where they faced the Philadelphia Independence.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Narducci|first1=Marc|title=Well-traveled Independence have one final test in well-rested FC Gold Pride|url=http://articles.philly.com/2010-09-26/sports/24979353_1_independence-women-s-professional-soccer-fc-gold-pride|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704001456/http://articles.philly.com/2010-09-26/sports/24979353_1_independence-women-s-professional-soccer-fc-gold-pride|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 4, 2015|website=The Philadelphia Inquirer|access-date=June 5, 2015|date=September 26, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Independence defeat Boston to advance to WPS final vs. FC Gold Pride|url=http://articles.philly.com/2010-09-24/sports/24975942_1_women-s-professional-soccer-fc-gold-pride-independence|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220182206/http://articles.philly.com/2010-09-24/sports/24975942_1_women-s-professional-soccer-fc-gold-pride-independence|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 20, 2014|website=The Philadelphia Inquirer|access-date=June 5, 2015|date=September 24, 2010}}</ref> Sinclair contributed two goals to FC Gold Pride's 4–0 win to clinch the WPS Championship.<ref>{{cite web|title=FC Gold Pride wins WPS championship|url=https://www.espn.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/5619281/fc-gold-pride-shut-philadelphia-independence-wps-title|publisher=ESPN|access-date=June 5, 2015|date=September 26, 2010|archive-date=September 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915113442/http://www.espn.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/5619281/fc-gold-pride-shut-philadelphia-independence-wps-title|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite their successful season, the club ceased operations on November 16, 2010, due to not meeting the league's financial reserve requirement.<ref name="espn111610"/>

=== Western New York Flash ===
{{quote box
| quote = "I can't praise Christine Sinclair enough...She's just a world-class soccer player. What she has given us this year—she's given us everything."
| source = – [[Aaran Lines]], Western New York Flash head coach<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/espnw/news/story/_/id/6902423/wps-playoffs-christine-sinclair-named-mvp-wps-final|title=Christine Sinclair Named MVP of the Final|publisher=ESPN|last1=Purdy|first1=Jacqueline|date=August 27, 2011|access-date=June 6, 2015|archive-date=February 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221101130/https://www.espn.com/espnw/news/story/_/id/6902423/wps-playoffs-christine-sinclair-named-mvp-wps-final|url-status=live}}</ref>
| align = right
| width = 35%
}}
On December 10, 2010, [[Western New York Flash]] announced that they had agreed to terms with the Canadian striker for the [[2011 WPS season|2011 season]]. Sinclair helped guide the team to the regular season championship, leading the club with ten goals and eight assists.<ref name=can_bio /> On August 27, 2011, Sinclair was named MVP of the [[2011 WPS Playoffs|2011 WPS Championship Final]] after the Flash won the championship in [[Rochester, New York]]. Sinclair's goal in the 64th minute gave the Flash a 1–0 lead over Philadelphia. When the game was forced to [[Penalty kick (association football)|penalty kicks]], Sinclair stepped up and completed the second one as the Flash players converted all five of their attempts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-opinion/6902423/wps-playoffs-christine-sinclair-named-mvp-wps-final|title=Christine Sinclair named MVP of the final|publisher=ESPNW|access-date=August 28, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929055713/http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-opinion/6902423/wps-playoffs-christine-sinclair-named-mvp-wps-final|archive-date=September 29, 2011}}</ref>

=== Portland Thorns FC ===
[[File:Christine Sinclair 2013-05-04 Spirit - Thorns-2.jpg|thumb|Sinclair with the Portland Thorns in 2013]]
On January 11, 2013, it was announced that Sinclair would play for the [[Portland Thorns FC]] for the inaugural season of the [[National Women's Soccer League]] via the [[NWSL Player Allocation]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Alex Morgan, Christine Sinclair among first seven players added to Portland Thorns FC through allocation process |url=http://www.portlandtimbers.com/news/2013/01/alex-morgan-christine-sinclair-among-first-seven-players-added-portland-thorns-fc-throu |publisher=[[Portland Timbers]] |access-date=January 11, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130113093839/http://www.portlandtimbers.com/news/2013/01/alex-morgan-christine-sinclair-among-first-seven-players-added-portland-thorns-fc-throu |archive-date=January 13, 2013 }}</ref> Sinclair said she had told the league upon its founding that she would only play in Portland.<ref name="opb-2023">{{cite news |url=https://www.opb.org/article/2023/03/30/5-nwsl-players-have-been-with-the-same-team-all-11-seasons/ |title=Portland Thorns' Christine Sinclair is one of 5 NWSL 'Originals' |date=March 30, 2023 |access-date=April 17, 2023 |publisher=[[Oregon Public Broadcasting]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |first=Anne M. |last=Peterson |archive-date=April 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417195649/https://www.opb.org/article/2023/03/30/5-nwsl-players-have-been-with-the-same-team-all-11-seasons/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Playing as [[Captain (association football)|team captain]], she appeared in 20 games in the [[2013 Portland Thorns FC season|2013 season]] and tied with [[Alex Morgan]] as the top scorer on the team with eight goals.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nwsl.app.box.com/s/h8wkluj4i5dljtep0e7u|title=2014 Portland Thorns FC Media Guide.pdf|website=nwsl.app.box.com|access-date=October 13, 2017|archive-date=August 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811003517/https://nwsl.app.box.com/s/h8wkluj4i5dljtep0e7u|url-status=live}}</ref> Sinclair was named the league's Player of the Month for the month of April after scoring two goals and serving one assist to help the team secure a 2–0–1 record.<ref>{{cite web|title=Thorns' Sinclair is league player of the month|url=http://www.kgw.com/story/news/2014/07/25/12525330/|publisher=KGW|access-date=June 6, 2015|date=October 29, 2013}}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

After finishing third during the regular season, the Thorns advanced to the playoffs where they defeated second-place team [[FC Kansas City]] 3–2 during overtime.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Goldberg|first1=Jamie|title=Portland Thorns at FC Kansas City: NWSL playoff semifinal game preview|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/portland-thorns/2014/08/portland_thorns_at_fc_kansas_c.html|newspaper=The Oregonian|access-date=June 6, 2015|date=August 22, 2014|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304105831/http://www.oregonlive.com/portland-thorns/2014/08/portland_thorns_at_fc_kansas_c.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=NWSL Semi-final Recap |url=https://www.timbers.com/news/nwsl-semifinal-recap-portland-thorns-fc-3-fc-kansas-city-2-ot |publisher=Portland Thorns |access-date=June 6, 2015 |date=August 24, 2013 |archive-date=November 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112205025/http://www.timbers.com/news/2013/08/nwsl-semifinal-recap-portland-thorns-fc-3-fc-kansas-city-2-ot |url-status=live }}</ref> During the championship final against regular season champions [[Western New York Flash]], Sinclair scored the final goal to defeat the Flash 2–0.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Hays|first1=Graham|title=Portland Blazes Trail with NWSL Title|url=https://www.espn.com/espnw/news-commentary/story/_/id/9622374/espnw-portland-thorns-fc-tops-western-new-york-flash-first-nwsl-championship|publisher=ESPN|access-date=June 6, 2015|date=September 8, 2013|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304230710/http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/9622374/espnw-portland-thorns-fc-tops-western-new-york-flash-first-nwsl-championship|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the 2017 season, she led the Thorns in scoring with eight goals during the regular season, with the team finishing second. In the playoffs, she scored a goal, tying the record for NWSL playoff goals, en route to the team's second championship in the [[2017 National Women's Soccer League season#Championship|NWSL Final]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.timbers.com/players/christine-sinclair|title=Christine Sinclair|work=Portland Timbers|access-date=January 24, 2018|archive-date=October 3, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201003170939/https://www.timbers.com/players/christine-sinclair|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the [[COVID-19 pandemic|pandemic]]-shortened 2020 season, Sinclair led the Thorns with six goals, five more than any of her teammates, helping the Thorns win the NWSL Fall Series.<ref>{{Cite web|title=NWSL Stats for League Leaders, Players & Teams - Portland Thorns|url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/stats?season=2020%20Fall%20Series&team=446mp88j1vpk9iwui9fiifrp8|access-date=October 12, 2020|website=nwslsoccer.com|archive-date=October 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018111213/https://www.nwslsoccer.com/stats?season=2020%20Fall%20Series&team=446mp88j1vpk9iwui9fiifrp8|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2022, Sinclair captained the team to a second-place finish in the regular season and a third championship title. She set the league record for most playoff minutes played.<ref>{{cite web |date=2022-10-30 |title=Canadians Sinclair, Beckie win NWSL Championship as Thorns defeat Current |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/nwsl-championship-final-recap-2022-1.6634397 |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=CBC |archive-date=November 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101020244/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/nwsl-championship-final-recap-2022-1.6634397 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On September 27, 2024, Sinclair announced her retirement from club soccer at the end of the [[2024 National Women's Soccer League season|2024 NWSL season]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Portland Thorns and NWSL legend Christine Sinclair announces retirement: 'Thank you will never be enough'|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/portland-thorns/2024/09/portland-thorns-and-nwsl-legend-christine-sinclair-announces-retirement-thank-you-will-never-be-enough.html|access-date=2024-09-27|website=oregonlive.com|publisher=OregonLive|last=Alger|first=Tyson|date=September 27, 2024 }}</ref>

== International career ==
=== Early years and rise to captaincy (2000–2007) ===
Sinclair played for Canada's under-18 national team before she got her first call up to the [[Canada women's national soccer team|national team]] in early 2000 under newly-hired Head Coach [[Even Pellerud]]. She scored her first (unofficial) Canada goal in an exhibition match against the Metro League All-Stars.<ref>{{cite news|title=2000 Canada camp in Vancouver|url=https://canadasoccer.com/national/camps/?camp_id=1114|access-date=December 1, 2023}}</ref> She then travelled with the squad to the [[2000 Algarve Cup]] where she was the tournament's co-second leading scorer with three goals.<ref name=can_bio/> She scored seven goals for Canada at the [[2002 CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup]], tying her for the tournament lead with Canadian team captain [[Charmaine Hooper]] and [[United States women's national soccer team|US]] player [[Tiffeny Milbrett]], a fellow Portland alumna.<ref name=can_bio /> Canada finished second at the Gold Cup, qualifying them to the [[2003 FIFA Women's World Cup]].<ref name=TSNprofile2019>{{cite news|title=Canadian player profile: Christine Sinclair|url=https://www.tsn.ca/canadian-player-profile-christine-sinclair-1.1315820|last=Johnson|first=Meaghen|website=[[The Sports Network|TSN]].ca|date=June 3, 2019|access-date=July 17, 2023|archive-date=November 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101200953/https://www.tsn.ca/canadian-player-profile-christine-sinclair-1.1315820|url-status=live}}</ref> The same year, Sinclair represented Canada at the inaugural [[FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship|FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship]]. Her record-setting ten goals in the tournament helped lead Canada to a second-place finish and earned her both the Golden Boot as leading scorer and Golden Ball as tournament MVP.<ref name=can_bio /><ref name=TSNprofile2019/>

Canada's [[FIFA Women's World Cup]] squad for the [[2003 FIFA Women's World Cup|2003 edition]] in the United States was subsequently remembered for its mix of veteran players like Hooper and younger members like Sinclair, [[Diana Matheson]], and [[Erin McLeod]].<ref>{{cite news|title=It's just like 2003 for Team Canada at the Women's World Cup|url=https://torontosun.com/2015/06/27/its-just-like-2003-for-team-canada-at-the-womens-world-cup|last=Jones|first=Terry|newspaper=[[The Toronto Sun]]|date=June 27, 2015|access-date=July 17, 2023|archive-date=November 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130200226/https://torontosun.com/2015/06/27/its-just-like-2003-for-team-canada-at-the-womens-world-cup|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=LethbridgeHerald>{{cite news|title=Matheson hopes World Cup will further raise profile of women's game, boost new league|url=https://lethbridgeherald.com/sports/national-sports/2023/07/17/matheson-hopes-world-cup-will-further-raise-profile-of-womens-game-boost-new-league/|last=Davidson|first=Neil|newspaper=[[The Lethbridge Herald]]|date=July 17, 2023|access-date=July 17, 2023|archive-date=July 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718021330/https://lethbridgeherald.com/sports/national-sports/2023/07/17/matheson-hopes-world-cup-will-further-raise-profile-of-womens-game-boost-new-league/|url-status=dead}}</ref> During the team's first group stage match against [[Germany women's national football team|Germany]], she scored the first goal of the match in the fourth minute. Germany scored four goals to defeat Canada 4–1.<ref>{{cite web|title=2003 FIFA Women's World Cup|url=http://www.ussoccer.com/about/history/us-soccer-as-host/2003-fifa-womens-world-cup|publisher=United States Soccer Federation|access-date=June 6, 2015|archive-date=June 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627131346/http://www.ussoccer.com/about/history/us-soccer-as-host/2003-fifa-womens-world-cup|url-status=live}}</ref>  After defeating [[Argentina women's national football team|Argentina]] 3–0,<ref>{{cite news|title=Canada Crushes Argentina 3–0|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2003/09/25/canada-crushes-argentina-3-0/|newspaper=[[Orlando Sentinel]]|access-date=June 6, 2015|date=September 25, 2003}}</ref> the team faced [[Japan women's national football team|Japan]] in their last group stage match of the tournament. With goals from Sinclair and teammates [[Christine Latham]] and [[Kara Lang]], Canada won 3–1 and placed second in their group to advance to the knockout stage.<ref name="latimes_092803">{{cite web|title=Canada Advances on Its Height Advantage|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-sep-28-sp-wwcgroupcrdp28-story.html|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|access-date=June 6, 2015|date=September 28, 2003|archive-date=September 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918102756/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-sep-28-sp-wwcgroupcrdp28-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Canada faced defending silver medalists [[China women's national football team|China]] in the quarterfinal match on October 2 in Portland, Oregon and won 1–0 with the lone goal scored by Hooper in the seventh minute.<ref>{{cite web|title=2003 FIFA Women's World Cup: China vs Canada|url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/usa2003/matches/round=69290300/match=69290028/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007040839/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/usa2003/matches/round=69290300/match=69290028/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 7, 2013|publisher=FIFA|access-date=June 6, 2015|date=October 2, 2003}}</ref> Having remained winless in all previous World Cup tournaments, Canada's advancement to the semi-final was a historic change for the team.<ref name="latimes_092803"/> Canada was defeated by [[Sweden women's national football team|Sweden]] in the semi-final match 2–1<ref>{{cite web|title=2003 FIFA Women's World Cup: Canada vs Sweden|url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/usa2003/matches/round=69290400/match=69290030/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007040835/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/usa2003/matches/round=69290400/match=69290030/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 7, 2013|publisher=FIFA|access-date=June 6, 2015|date=October 5, 2003}}</ref> and faced the [[United States women's national soccer team|United States]] in the third-place match where they were defeated 3–1 and finished fourth at the tournament. Sinclair scored Canada's goal in the 38th minute.<ref>{{cite web|title=FIFA Women's World Cup USA 2003|url=http://canadasoccer.com/?t=project.tpl&sid=339|publisher=Canada Soccer|access-date=June 6, 2015|archive-date=July 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160728235428/http://www.canadasoccer.com/?t=project.tpl&sid=339|url-status=live}}</ref> In all, she scored three goals for Canada on their way to a surprising fourth-place finish, their best in that competition to date.<ref>{{cite news|title=Moment 3: Canada finishes fourth at FIFA Women's World Cup|url=https://canadasoccer.com/news/moment-3-canada-finishes-fourth-at-fifa-womens-world-cup/|publisher=[[Canada Soccer Association]]|date=May 30, 2012|access-date=July 17, 2023|archive-date=July 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723175812/https://canadasoccer.com/news/moment-3-canada-finishes-fourth-at-fifa-womens-world-cup/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=can_bio />

Following the success at the World Cup, Sinclair and her teammates had high expectations of qualifying to the [[Football at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament|women's tournament]] at the [[2004 Summer Olympics]] in [[Athens]]. However, they were defeated by [[Mexico women's national football team|Mexico]] in the [[2004 CONCACAF Women's Pre-Olympic Tournament|qualifying tournament semi-final]], and thus did not obtain one of the two berths allotted to CONCACAF.<ref name=CBC20080804>{{cite news|title=Christine Sinclair: Ready to strike|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/2.720/christine-sinclair-ready-to-strike-1.717413|last=Craig|first=Lindsey|website=[[CBC Sports]]|date=August 4, 2008|access-date=July 17, 2023|archive-date=July 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718021330/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/2.720/christine-sinclair-ready-to-strike-1.717413|url-status=live}}</ref>

Sinclair's rapid ascendancy within the team was accelerated further by a major controversy between coach [[Even Pellerud]] and veteran players Hooper, [[Christine Latham]] and [[Sharolta Nonen]], with the latter publicly attacking the former's management of the team and alleged interference in domestic club matters. As a result, Pellerud did not include the players in the roster, and Sinclair was named captain of the team in advance of the [[2006 CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Players call for inquiry into coach|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/players-call-for-inquiry-into-coach/article1108398/|last=Mallett|first=Peter|newspaper=[[The Globe & Mail]]|date=October 21, 2006|access-date=July 17, 2023|archive-date=April 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426093750/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/players-call-for-inquiry-into-coach/article1108398/|url-status=live}}</ref> Subsequent arbitration sided with Pellerud, marking the end of the twenty-year national team career of Hooper. Sinclair opined that "it's an unfortunate way to go out but that's her choice."<ref>{{cite news |title=Arbitrator rules in Canadian soccer coach's favour |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/arbitrator-rules-in-canadian-soccer-coach-s-favour-1.666307 |website=[[CBC Sports]] |date=June 20, 2007 |access-date=July 17, 2023 |archive-date=April 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425160013/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/arbitrator-rules-in-canadian-soccer-coach-s-favour-1.666307 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Canada's results at the Gold Cup qualified them for the [[2007 FIFA Women's World Cup]] in China. During Canada's first group stage match, the team faced [[Norway women's national football team|Norway]] and were defeated 2–1.<ref>{{cite web|title=2007 FIFA Women's World Cup: Canada vs Norway|url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/china2007/matches/round=248549/match=56324/report.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030160901/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/china2007/matches/round=248549/match=56324/report.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 30, 2013|publisher=FIFA|access-date=June 6, 2015|date=September 12, 2007}}</ref> Sinclair scored a brace in the team's next group stage match against [[Ghana women's national football team|Ghana]] helping Canada win 4–0.<ref>{{cite web|title=Matheson's Team Canada Tops Ghana 4–0 for First 2007 Women's World Cup Win|url=http://www.goprincetontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10600&ATCLID=1240833|publisher=Princeton University|access-date=June 6, 2015|date=September 15, 2007|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304030639/http://www.goprincetontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10600&ATCLID=1240833|url-status=live}}</ref> She scored another goal in the 85th minute of the team's final group stage match against [[Australia women's national football team|Australia]], which would have been sufficient to advance to the knockout stage had it held, but Australia equalized in stoppage time and Canada exited the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|title=Late drama sends Matildas through|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/women/7004417.stm|publisher=BBC|access-date=June 6, 2015|date=September 20, 2007|archive-date=March 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306064739/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/women/7004417.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Germany set the record straight|url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/china2007/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141125015118/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/china2007/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 25, 2014|publisher=FIFA|access-date=June 6, 2015}}</ref><ref name=TSNprofile2019/><ref name=LethbridgeHerald/> Later in the year, Sinclair led the team to a bronze medal at the [[Football at the 2007 Pan American Games – Women's tournament|2007 Pan American Games]].<ref name=TSNprofile2019/>

=== Olympic debut, CONCACAF gold, and World Cup nadir (2008–2011) ===
In a rematch of the Olympic qualifying semi-final of four years' prior, Canada defeated Mexico in the [[2008 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament|qualifying tournament]] for the [[2008 Summer Olympics]] in [[Beijing]], reaching the Olympic Games for the first time after finishing second to the United States in the event final. Sinclair said it "was sweet revenge, absolutely perfect."<ref name=CBC20080804/> [[Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament|In China]], Canada advanced out of the group stage before being defeated by the United States, the eventual gold medalists, in their quarter-final match, with Sinclair scoring Canada's lone goal in the 2–1 loss. Despite this, she said "we did pretty well," while adding "obviously we would have liked to go farther."<ref>{{cite news|title=Burnaby's Sinclair is Canada's top female soccer player|url=https://vancouversun.com/news/burnabys-sinclair-is-canadas-top-female-soccer-player|last=McGowan|first=Don|newspaper=[[The Vancouver Sun]]|date=January 7, 2009|access-date=July 17, 2023}}</ref>

Appearing in a friendly match against [[Poland women's national football team|Poland]] on February 20, 2010, Sinclair scored her 100th career goal and broke the Canadian women's national team appearance record of 132 previously set by former teammate [[Andrea Neil]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Sinclair scores 100th goal, breaks record for matches|url=https://canadasoccer.com/news/sinclair-scores-100th-goal-breaks-record-for-matches/|publisher=[[Canada Soccer Association]]|date=February 20, 2010|access-date=July 17, 2023|archive-date=July 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718024334/https://canadasoccer.com/news/sinclair-scores-100th-goal-breaks-record-for-matches/|url-status=live}}</ref> She was the first Canadian, and tenth woman overall, to score 100 international goals.<ref name=TSNprofile2019/> Later in the year, at the [[2010 CONCACAF Women's World Cup Qualifying|2010 CONCACAF Women's Championship]], the team reached the event final, where Sinclair scored the game-winning goal in a victory over Mexico. This was the first major championship title of Sinclair's national team career, and qualified them to the [[2011 FIFA Women's World Cup]].<ref name=CBC101216>{{cite news |title=Sinclair wins Canadian female player of 2010 award |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/sinclair-wins-canadian-female-player-of-2010-award-1.913074 |website=[[CBC Sports]] |date=December 16, 2010 |access-date=July 17, 2023 |archive-date=July 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718021331/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/sinclair-wins-canadian-female-player-of-2010-award-1.913074 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=CPL200130>{{cite news|title=4 moments that drove Christine Sinclair's rise to stardom|url=https://canpl.ca/video/4-moments-that-drove-christine-sinclairs-rise-to-stardom|last=O'Connor-Clarke|first=Charlie|publisher=[[Canadian Premier League]]|date=January 30, 2020|access-date=July 17, 2023|archive-date=July 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706193606/https://canpl.ca/video/4-moments-that-drove-christine-sinclairs-rise-to-stardom|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=can_bio /> Upon receiving her sixth consecutive award as Canadian player of the year, she said that "there's no doubt in my mind that we can do some damage at the World Cup."<ref name=CBC101216/>

The leadup to the 2011 World Cup was dogged by disputes with the [[Canadian Soccer Association]] over funding the compensation issues, which prompted coach [[Carolina Morace]] to announce that she would leave her post following the end of the tournament. Sinclair led the players on strike in support of Morace.<ref>{{cite news |title=Canada's women's soccer team ends boycott |url=https://nationalpost.com/sports/soccer/canadas-womens-soccer-team-ends-boycott |newspaper=[[The National Post]] |date=February 25, 2011|access-date=July 17, 2023}}</ref> Ultimately, Morace agreed to continue after negotiations.<ref>{{cite news|title=Morace era ends shamefully for Canadian soccer|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/morace-era-ends-shamefully-for-canadian-soccer/article625981/|last=Brunt|first=Stephen|newspaper=[[The Globe & Mail]]|date=July 22, 2011|access-date=July 17, 2023|archive-date=July 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730041900/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/morace-era-ends-shamefully-for-canadian-soccer/article625981/|url-status=live}}</ref>

At the World Cup, Canada faced host nation [[Germany women's national football team|Germany]] in its opening game, losing 2–1. Despite having her nose broken by an elbow from a German defender, Sinclair refused to be taken out of the game and scored Canada's lone goal of the game.<ref>{{cite news |title=Women's World Cup 2011: Germany thrill home crowd with win over Canada |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/jun/26/womens-world-cup-germany-canada |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=June 26, 2011 |access-date=July 17, 2023 |archive-date=May 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180508054635/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/jun/26/womens-world-cup-germany-canada |url-status=live }}</ref> The broken nose required Sinclair to wear a protective mask for the remainder of the tournament which hampered her play since she could not see properly.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/big-read-the-evolution-of-christine-sinclair/#:~:text=In%20Canada's%20first%20game%20at,%E2%80%9CShe%20didn't%20cry |title=The Evolution of Christine Sinclair |first=Kristina |last=Rutherford |publisher=Rogers Communications |website=Sportsnet.ca |access-date=October 20, 2023 |archive-date=June 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621130705/https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/big-read-the-evolution-of-christine-sinclair/#:~:text=In%20Canada's%20first%20game%20at,%E2%80%9CShe%20didn't%20cry |url-status=live }}</ref> The next game was a 4–0 rout at the hands of [[France women's national football team|France]] that formally eliminated Canada from the tournament.<ref>{{cite news |title=Canada eliminated at Women's World Cup |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/canada-eliminated-at-women-s-world-cup-1.980270 |last=Molinaro |first=John F. |website=[[CBC Sports]] |date=June 30, 2011 |access-date=July 17, 2023 |archive-date=July 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718021329/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/canada-eliminated-at-women-s-world-cup-1.980270 |url-status=live }}</ref> She would later describe it was "the lowest point in my soccer career, the worst game I'd ever seen our team play."<ref name=NYT150606>{{cite news |title=Face of Soccer in Canada, on Field and on Stamps |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/07/sports/soccer/face-of-canadian-soccer-with-shoulders-to-carry-it.html |last=Longman |first=Jeré |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=June 6, 2015 |access-date=July 17, 2023 |archive-date=July 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718021330/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/07/sports/soccer/face-of-canadian-soccer-with-shoulders-to-carry-it.html |url-status=live }}</ref> They went on to lose 1–0 to [[Nigeria women's national football team|Nigeria]], leaving Sinclair's goal against Germany as the team's only one in the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Sandor|first1=Steven|title=Canadian women looking for World Cup redemption|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/fifa-womens-world-cup-canada-china-edmonton-john-herdman-christine-sinclair/|website=[[Sportsnet]]|access-date=June 6, 2015|date=June 5, 2015|archive-date=August 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813181612/https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/fifa-womens-world-cup-canada-china-edmonton-john-herdman-christine-sinclair/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Following the disappointment in Germany, Morace unexpecteldy quit and was replaced by [[John Herdman]], who made it a priority to revive team morale.<ref>{{cite news|title=How John Herdman defined a decade in Canadian soccer|url=https://olympic.ca/2022/11/21/how-john-herdman-defined-a-decade-in-canadian-soccer/|last=Squizzato|first=Daniel|publisher=[[Canada Soccer Association]]|date=November 21, 2022|access-date=July 17, 2023|archive-date=July 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718021330/https://olympic.ca/2022/11/21/how-john-herdman-defined-a-decade-in-canadian-soccer/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=John Herdman: the mastermind who has led Canada to the men's and women's World Cups |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/nov/18/john-herdman-canada-soccer-coach-world-cup-qatar-2022 |last=Callaghan |first=Joe |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=November 18, 2022|access-date=July 17, 2023}}</ref> He would regularly cite photographs of Sinclair's "deflated" expression after the loss to France as a motivation to improve the team's  performance.<ref name=NYT150606/> Later the same year, Sinclair and the team won gold at the [[Football at the 2011 Pan American Games – Women's tournament|2011 Pan American Games]].<ref name=TSNprofile2019/> She also served as the Canadian flagbearer at the opening ceremonies.<ref>{{cite news|title=Canadian Olympic Committee Taps Christine Sinclair to Lead Canada into Guadalajara 2011|url=https://olympic.ca/2011/10/04/canadian-olympic-committee-taps-christine-sinclair-to-lead-canada-into-guadalajara-2011/|publisher=[[Canadian Olympic Committee]]|date=October 4, 2010|access-date=July 17, 2023|archive-date=July 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718021330/https://olympic.ca/2011/10/04/canadian-olympic-committee-taps-christine-sinclair-to-lead-canada-into-guadalajara-2011/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== London Olympics (2012) ===
The [[Football at the 2012 Summer Olympics&nbsp;– Women's tournament|2012 Summer Olympics]] in [[London]] began in unpromising fashion for the Canadian team, who lost their opening game to [[Japan women's national football team|Japan]]. After defeating [[South Africa women's national football team|South Africa]] and drawing [[Sweden women's national football team|Sweden]], Canada nevertheless advanced out of the group stage as the third seed, led by performances from Sinclair and [[Melissa Tancredi]].<ref name=CPL200130/> Sinclair scored two goals against the South Africans.<ref name=olym12>{{cite web| url=https://www.fifa.com/womensolympic/teams/team=1883718/matches.html| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120823233125/http://www.fifa.com/womensolympic/teams/team=1883718/matches.html| url-status=dead| archive-date=August 23, 2012| title=Women's Olympic Tournament London 2012: Canada| publisher=FIFA|access-date=October 12, 2017}}</ref> Canada faced host nation [[Great Britain women's national football team|Great Britain]] in the quarter-final, defeating them 2–0, with Sinclair scoring the second goal of the match.<ref>{{cite news |title=London 2012: Team GB women crash out of Olympics with defeat by Canada |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/aug/03/london-2012-team-gb-women-olympics |last=Wilson |first=Paul |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=August 3, 2012 |access-date=July 17, 2023 |archive-date=August 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820043828/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/aug/03/london-2012-team-gb-women-olympics |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[Canada v United States (2012 Summer Olympics)|Olympic semi-final]] was held at the historic [[Old Trafford]], home of [[Manchester United F.C.]], on August 6. Canada faced its longtime rival the United States, with the latter heavily favoured. Sinclair scored the match's opening goal in the first half, beginning a back-and-forth with the Americans that saw the game tied at 3–3 at the end of regulation, Sinclair having recorded a [[hat-trick]], before [[Alex Morgan]] scored the game-winning goal for the United States in extra time.<ref>{{cite news |title=Olympic women's soccer 2012 – USA 4-3 Canada - as it happened |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/aug/06/olympics-2012-football-usa-canada-live |last=Parker |first=Graham |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=August 6, 2012 |access-date=July 17, 2023 |archive-date=August 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804070140/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/aug/06/olympics-2012-football-usa-canada-live |url-status=live }}</ref> The game was both widely praised and extremely controversial, with ''[[The Guardian]]'' declaring it "the greatest knockout match in major-tournament football since [[West Germany v France (1982 FIFA World Cup)|1982]]."<ref name=Guardian120807>{{cite news |title=The greatest knockout match in major-tournament football since 1982|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/aug/07/the-fiver-women-football-olympics |last=Murray |first=Scott |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=August 7, 2012|access-date=July 17, 2023}}</ref> American publications dubbed it "one of the best games ever"<ref>{{cite news |title=USA vs. Canada Women's Soccer: Epic Battle Was One of the Best Games Ever |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1287285-usa-vs-canada-womens-soccer-epic-battle-was-one-of-the-best-games-ever |last=Kondzella |first=Pat |website=[[The Bleacher Report]] |date=August 7, 2012 |access-date=July 17, 2023 |archive-date=July 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718021330/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1287285-usa-vs-canada-womens-soccer-epic-battle-was-one-of-the-best-games-ever |url-status=live }}</ref> and "an instant classic."<ref>{{cite news |title=The U.S. Women's Soccer Team Just Won an Instant Classic Over Canada |url=https://nymag.com/daily/sports/2012/08/uswnt-just-won-an-instant-classic-over-canada.html |last=Rosenthal |first=Seth |magazine=[[New York (magazine)|New York]] |date=August 6, 2012 |access-date=July 17, 2023 |archive-date=July 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718021330/https://nymag.com/daily/sports/2012/08/uswnt-just-won-an-instant-classic-over-canada.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Controversy, meanwhile, related to the performance of referee [[Christina Pedersen (referee)|Christina Pedersen]], who made a series of calls in favour of the Americans, most notably what some characterized as a "a peculiarly harsh decision" against Canadian goalkeeper McLeod for holding onto the ball for supposed time wasting, the beginning of a series of events that led to the game being tied again on a US penalty shot.<ref name=Guardian120807/>

Sinclair and others on the team, including coach Herdman, harshly criticized Pedersen's officiating after the match was completed, with the captain stating "we feel cheated. It's a shame that in a game as important as that, the ref decided the result before it started."<ref>{{cite news |title=Canada's Olympic soccer squad in shock after heartbreaking semi-final loss to U.S.|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/olympics/canadas-olympic-soccer-squad-in-shock-after-heartbreaking-semi-final-loss-to-us/article4465669/ |last=Blair |first=Jeff |newspaper=[[The Globe & Mail]] |date=August 6, 2012|access-date=July 17, 2023}}</ref> Pedersen claimed that she had overheard Sinclair calling her a "fucking whore" following the game at Old Trafford, which Sinclair denied, stating that she had said "fucking horrible."<ref name=TheWalrus>{{cite news |title=The Game Not Played |url=https://thewalrus.ca/the-game-not-played/ |last=Poplak |first=Richard |newspaper=[[The Walrus]] |date=June 15, 2013 |access-date=July 17, 2023 |archive-date=April 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416172937/https://thewalrus.ca/the-game-not-played/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The latter was referred for a disciplinary hearing after the Games, but Sinclair remained able to play pending said hearing, helping the team to a bronze medal victory over [[France women's national football team|France]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Canadian women's soccer team gets Olympic bronze medals |first=Jeff |last=Blair |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/olympics/canadian-womens-soccer-team-wins-olympic-soccer-bronze/article4471130/ |newspaper=[[The Globe & Mail]] |date=August 9, 2012 |access-date=August 10, 2012 |archive-date=January 8, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108064216/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/olympics/canadian-womens-soccer-team-wins-olympic-soccer-bronze/article4471130/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=NYT150606/>

With six goals in the tournament, Sinclair was awarded the Golden Boot.<ref name=TSNprofile2019/> In recognition of her achievements at the Games, Sinclair was named [[List of flag bearers for Canada at the Olympics|Canada's flag bearer]] for the [[2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony|closing ceremonies]],<ref name=Flag>{{cite news|last=Mackin|first=Bob|title=Christine Sinclair named flag bearer|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Olympics/2012London/News/Canada/2012/08/12/20094471.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115085213/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Olympics/2012London/News/Canada/2012/08/12/20094471.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=January 15, 2013|access-date=August 12, 2012|newspaper=Canoe|date=August 12, 2012}}</ref> and on the day of the ceremonies she was also awarded a [[Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Sinclair awarded Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal|url=https://canadasoccer.com/news/sinclair-awarded-queen-elizabeth-ii-diamond-jubilee-medal/|publisher=[[Canada Soccer Association]]|date=August 15, 2012|access-date=July 17, 2023}}</ref> Further honours came in the following months, including the [[Lou Marsh Trophy]] as Canadian athlete of the year, and the [[Bobbie Rosenfeld Award]] from [[The Canadian Press]] as their choice for Canadian female athlete of the year. She was, in both instances, the first soccer player recipient.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/christine-sinclair-wins-lou-marsh-award-1.1212858 |title=Christine Sinclair wins Lou Marsh Award |website=[[CBC Sports]] |date=December 10, 2012 |access-date=July 17, 2023 |archive-date=July 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718021332/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/christine-sinclair-wins-lou-marsh-award-1.1212858 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Sinclair wins 2012 Bobbie Rosenfeld Award|url=https://canadasoccer.com/news/sinclair-wins-2012-bobbie-rosenfeld-award/|publisher=[[Canada Soccer Association]]|date=December 27, 2012|access-date=July 17, 2023|archive-date=July 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230719161108/https://canadasoccer.com/news/sinclair-wins-2012-bobbie-rosenfeld-award/|url-status=live}}</ref> She was also named Athlete of the Year by [[Sportsnet]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Molinaro|first1=John|title=Sinclair named Sportsnet's Athlete of the Year|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/magazine/christine-sinclair-canadian-athlete-of-the-year/|website=[[Sportsnet]]|access-date=June 5, 2015|date=December 13, 2012|archive-date=September 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913082321/http://www.sportsnet.ca/magazine/christine-sinclair-canadian-athlete-of-the-year/|url-status=live}}</ref> The London Olympics significantly raised Sinclair's profile both within Canada and internationally.<ref name=NYT150606/><ref name=TheWalrus/><ref>{{cite news |title=Christine Sinclair Proves She Is World's Top Women's Soccer Talent in Loss |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1287256-christine-sinclair-proves-she-is-worlds-top-womens-soccer-talent-in-loss |last=Langford |first=Richard |website=[[The Bleacher Report]] |date=August 6, 2012 |access-date=July 17, 2023 |archive-date=July 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718021329/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1287256-christine-sinclair-proves-she-is-worlds-top-womens-soccer-talent-in-loss |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'' dubbed her the "face of soccer in Canada".<ref name=NYT150606/>

Sinclair's alleged comments to Pedersen ultimately led to her fined a reported $3,500 for "unsporting behaviour" and suspended from four international games.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/fifa-suspends-canada-s-christine-sinclair-4-games-1.1209893?cmp=rss |title=FIFA suspends Canada's Christine Sinclair 4 games |website=[[CBC Sports]] |date=October 12, 2012 |access-date=October 13, 2012 |archive-date=October 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131024064424/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/fifa-suspends-canada-s-christine-sinclair-4-games-1.1209893?cmp=rss |url-status=live }}</ref> For her part, she claimed "I don't regret what I said."<ref>{{cite news|title= Christine Sinclair has no regrets after being suspended for Olympic comments |url=https://nationalpost.com/sports/soccer/christine-sinclair-suspended-no-regrets-for-olympic-soccer-comments |newspaper=[[The National Post]] |date=October 15, 2012 |access-date=August 10, 2012 }}</ref>

=== Home World Cup and Rio Olympics (2013–2016) ===
After serving her suspension after the London Olympics, Sinclair returned to the pitch midway through the [[2013 Cyprus Women's Cup]], scoring the game-winning goal against [[Finland women's national football team|Finland]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Christine Sinclair marks return from suspension with winning goal against Finland |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/christine-sinclair-marks-return-from-suspension-with-winning-goal-against-finland-1.1187807 |website=[[CTV News]] |date=March 8, 2013 |access-date=July 17, 2023 |archive-date=July 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718021330/https://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/christine-sinclair-marks-return-from-suspension-with-winning-goal-against-finland-1.1187807 |url-status=live }}</ref> She later made her 200th appearance on December 12, 2013, scoring her 147th international goal in a 2–0 win over [[Scotland women's national football team|Scotland]] at the [[Torneio Internacional Cidade de São Paulo de Futebol Feminino|2013 Torneio Internacional Cidade de São Paulo]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/christine-sinclair-scores-for-canada-in-their-shutout-win-over-scotland/article15942841/|title=Sinclair leads women's team past Scotland|publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]]|access-date=December 13, 2013|location=Toronto|date=December 12, 2013|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304071757/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/christine-sinclair-scores-for-canada-in-their-shutout-win-over-scotland/article15942841/|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
With the [[2015 FIFA Women's World Cup]] to be hosted in Canada, Sinclair's new celebrity put her even more so in the spotlight in the leadup, including being featured on a [[Canada Post]]-issued commemorative stamp.<ref name=NYT150606/> In light of the team's last-place finish in 2011 and its subsequent bronze medal at the Olympics, there were expectations on the team to perform on home soil.<ref>{{cite news |title=Women's World Cup 2015 Group A preview: Canada, China, Holland and New Zealand|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/jun/02/womens-world-cup-2015-group-a-preview-canada-china-holland-and-new-zealand |last=Murray |first=Caitlin |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=June 2, 2015|access-date=July 17, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=John Herdman tries to condition Canada into accepting women's football|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jun/17/john-herdman-canada-womens-world-cup |last=Taylor |first=Louise |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=June 17, 2015|access-date=July 17, 2023}}</ref> Sinclair scored Canada's only goal of the first group stage match against China, a 1–0 win, during a penalty kick awarded in the second minute of second-half stoppage time.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Davidson|first1=Neil|title=Canada edges China on late Sinclair penalty in Women's World Cup opener|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/canada-edges-china-on-late-sinclair-penalty-in-womens-world-cup-opener/article24834892/|newspaper=[[The Globe & Mail]]|access-date=June 7, 2015|date=June 7, 2015|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126191614/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/canada-edges-china-on-late-sinclair-penalty-in-womens-world-cup-opener/article24834892/|url-status=live}}</ref> Canada drew its remaining two group stage matches, but finished first in the group and faced [[Switzerland women's national football team|Switzerland]] in the Round of 16. Defeating the Swiss 1–0 in the opening of the knockout stage, Canada advanced to face [[England women's national football team|England]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Canada edge past Switzerland into last eight of Women's World Cup|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jun/22/womens-world-cup-canada-switzerland-match-report |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=June 22, 2015|access-date=July 17, 2023}}</ref> In the [[2015 FIFA Women's World Cup knockout stage#Quarter-finals|quarter-final]], Sinclair scored Canada's lone goal in the 42nd minute, with Canada ultimately losing the match 2–1.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/fifa-women-s-world-cup-canada-knocked-out-by-england-1.3130863|title=Canada takes knockout blow from England at Womens World Cup|work=[[CBC Sports]]|access-date=October 13, 2017|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108142636/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/fifa-women-s-world-cup-canada-knocked-out-by-england-1.3130863|url-status=live}}</ref>

Following this underwhelming result at home, Canada focused on qualifying for the [[2016 Summer Olympics]] in [[Rio de Janeiro]]. The team reached the final of the [[2016 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Championship]], thereby qualifying to the Olympic Games, and losing the championship match to the United States 2–0. Sinclair played through a calf injury during the tournament, and only featured in the final game as a substitute in the second half, but still surpassed American [[Mia Hamm]] for second place on the international goal-scoring standings.<ref>{{cite news |title=USWNT beat Canada to win Olympic qualifying tournament|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/feb/21/uswnt-beat-canada-to-win-olympic-qualifying-tournament |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=February 22, 2016|access-date=July 17, 2023}}</ref> A month later, Sinclair led Canada to victory at the [[2016 Algarve Cup|2016 edition]] of the [[Algarve Cup]], the event she had made her senior debut at 16 years earlier. Canada defeated Olympic host nation [[Brazil women's national football team|Brazil]] in the final.<ref>{{cite news|title=Canada beats Brazil, wins Algarve Cup in Portugal|url=https://olympic.ca/2016/03/09/canada-beats-brazil-wins-algarve-cup-in-portugal/|last=Hossain|first=Asif|publisher=[[Canadian Olympic Committee]]|date=March 9, 2016|access-date=July 17, 2023|archive-date=July 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724112236/https://olympic.ca/2016/03/09/canada-beats-brazil-wins-algarve-cup-in-portugal/|url-status=live}}</ref>

At the [[Football at the 2016 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament|Olympic women's tournament]], Canada swept its three group stage games, culminating in a historic win over [[Germany women's national football team|Germany]] that broke a 12-game, 22-year losing streak. Sinclair did not see the pitch for the latter game, resting in anticipation of the knockout rounds.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rio 2016: Canada scores historic soccer win over Germany|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/2874067/rio-2016-canada-scores-historic-soccer-win-over-germany/|website=[[Global News]]|date=August 9, 2016|access-date=July 17, 2023|archive-date=July 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718021331/https://globalnews.ca/news/2874067/rio-2016-canada-scores-historic-soccer-win-over-germany/|url-status=live}}</ref> Canada defeated France in the quarter-final, but was defeated in a semi-final rematch with Germany by 2–1.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rio 2016: Germany upsets Canada's quest for gold in women's soccer|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/2886160/rio-2016-germany-upsets-canadas-quest-for-gold-in-womens-soccer/|website=[[Global News]]|last=Davidson|first=Neil|date=August 16, 2016|access-date=July 17, 2023}}</ref> Playing in the bronze medal game for the second consecutive Olympics, Sinclair scored the game-winning goal against Brazil.<ref>{{cite news|title=Canada 'privileged' to have Christine Sinclair, soccer official says|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/olympics/2016/08/20/canada-privileged-to-have-christine-sinclair-soccer-official-says.html|newspaper=[[The Toronto Star]]|last=Davidson|first=Neil|date=August 20, 2016|access-date=July 17, 2023|archive-date=July 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718021330/https://www.thestar.com/sports/olympics/2016/08/20/canada-privileged-to-have-christine-sinclair-soccer-official-says.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== World Cup disappointment and international goals record (2017–2020) ===
While discussions about potential successors for Sinclair's role on the national team had been underway since early in the 2010s,<ref>{{cite news|title='A soccer god': Canada's search for the next Christine Sinclair begins at FIFA U-20 women's World Cup|url=https://nationalpost.com/sports/soccer/a-soccer-god-canadas-search-for-the-next-christine-sinclair-begins-at-fifa-u-20-womens-world-cup|newspaper=[[The National Post]]|last=Fitz-Gerald|first=Sean|date=July 16, 2014|access-date=July 17, 2023}}</ref> by the leadup to the [[2019 FIFA Women's World Cup]], with Sinclair now age 35 the prospect of her eventual retirement attracted more discussion.<ref>{{cite news|title=Talented youngsters offer hope for Canadian team in post-Sinclair era|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/talented-youngsters-offer-hope-canadian-team-post-sinclair-era/|website=[[Sportsnet]]|last=Molinaro|first=John F.|date=June 8, 2019|access-date=July 17, 2023|archive-date=July 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718025842/https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/talented-youngsters-offer-hope-canadian-team-post-sinclair-era/|url-status=live}}</ref> However, she was by this point closing in on the international goals record long held by American [[Abby Wambach]]. She scored her 181st goal in a pre-tournament friendly against Mexico, putting her only four away from Wambach's 184.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sinclair one step closer to history as Canada cruises past Mexico|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/sinclair-one-step-closer-history-canada-cruises-past-mexico/|website=[[Sportsnet]]|last=Molinaro|first=John F.|date=May 18, 2019|access-date=July 17, 2023|archive-date=July 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718021331/https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/sinclair-one-step-closer-history-canada-cruises-past-mexico/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Humble superstar Christine Sinclair puts team ahead of individual goals|url=https://torontosun.com/sports/soccer/van-diest-humble-superstar-christine-sinclair-puts-team-ahead-of-individual-goals|website=[[Sportsnet]]|last=Van Diest|first=Derek|date=June 8, 2019|access-date=July 17, 2023|archive-date=November 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129085341/https://torontosun.com/sports/soccer/van-diest-humble-superstar-christine-sinclair-puts-team-ahead-of-individual-goals|url-status=live}}</ref>

At the World Cup, hosted by France, Canada narrowly defeated [[Cameroon women's national football team|Cameroon]] in its opening group stage match, albeit with a performance that was faulted by some commentators for difficulty in creating chances to score by players other than Sinclair.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kadeisha Buchanan heads Canada to World Cup victory over Cameroon|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jun/10/canada-cameroon-womens-world-cup-match-report |last=Wrack |first=Suzanne |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=June 10, 2019|access-date=July 17, 2023}}</ref> After defeating [[New Zealand women's national soccer team|New Zealand]], Canada faced [[Netherlands women's national football team|the Netherlands]] in its final group match. Sinclair scored Canada's lone goal in a 2–1 loss, her tenth goal in five different World Cup editions, equalling the achievement first accomplished by Brazilian [[Marta (footballer)|Marta]] seven days earlier.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/christine-sinclair-scores-goal-no-182-vs-dutch-world-cup/|title=Christine Sinclair scores goal No. 182 vs. Dutch at World Cup|work=[[Sportsnet]]|date=June 20, 2019|archive-date=January 25, 2021|access-date=July 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125035759/https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/christine-sinclair-scores-goal-no-182-vs-dutch-world-cup/|url-status=live}}</ref> Facing Sweden in the Round of 16, Canada was down 1–0 when they were awarded a penalty after a hand ball by a Swedish defender. While Sinclair commonly took penalties for the team, in this instance she was aware that Swedish keeper [[Hedvig Lindahl]] had saved her penalty attempt at the [[2019 Algarve Cup|Algarve Cup]] the previous March, and opted to have [[Janine Beckie]] take it instead.<ref name=Gretzky>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-soccer-worldcup-swe-can-idUSKCN1TQ01Z|title=Canada rues 'Gretzky' moment during World Cup exit|publisher=[[Reuters]]|date=June 24, 2019|access-date=July 17, 2023|archive-date=July 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718021329/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-soccer-worldcup-swe-can-idUSKCN1TQ01Z|url-status=live}}</ref> Beckie's attempt was saved by Lindahl, and Canada were ultimately eliminated.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/06/24/canada-meets-sweden-world-cup-knockout-round/|title=Sweden handles Canada, 1-0, will face Germany in World Cup quarterfinal|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=June 24, 2019|archive-date=July 21, 2019|access-date=July 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721132509/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/06/24/canada-meets-sweden-world-cup-knockout-round/|url-status=live}}</ref> Sinclair's decision was the subject of much debate, with some comparing it to the much-criticized decision not to have [[Wayne Gretzky]] participate in a game-deciding shootout at the [[Ice hockey at the 1998 Winter Olympics – Men's tournament|ice hockey tournament]] at the [[1998 Winter Olympics]].<ref name=Gretzky/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/worldcup/womens-world-cup-canada-christine-sinclair-1.5188763|title=Christine Sinclair passed on crucial penalty kick in loss to Sweden and many are wondering why|last=Davidson|first=Neil|work=[[CBC Sports]]|date=June 25, 2019|access-date=July 17, 2023|archive-date=July 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718021333/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/worldcup/womens-world-cup-canada-christine-sinclair-1.5188763|url-status=live}}</ref> The performance of the national team was widely critiqued in the aftermath of the event, with many commentators faulting the lack of goal-scoring threat from players other than Sinclair.<ref>{{cite news |title=Women's World Cup 2019 power rankings: USA top, Germany rising|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jun/26/womens-world-cup-2019-power-rankings-usa-germany-england-quarter-finals |last=Wrack |first=Suzanne |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=June 26, 2019|access-date=July 17, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/worldcup/womens-world-cup-canada-sweden-sinclair-1.5188087|title=Canada's women's World Cup exit leaves bitter taste|last=Reed|first=Nigel|work=[[CBC Sports]]|date=June 24, 2019|access-date=July 17, 2023|archive-date=September 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923022156/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/worldcup/womens-world-cup-canada-sweden-sinclair-1.5188087|url-status=live}}</ref> [[The Canadian Press]] remarked that "the remarkable Sinclair is in the twilight of her career. Some time sooner than later, she will walk away for good. Monday proved how difficult that will be."<ref>{{cite news |title=World Cup exit shows Canada will miss the remarkable Christine Sinclair|url=https://www.thespec.com/sports/world-cup-exit-shows-canada-will-miss-the-remarkable-christine-sinclair/article_c97054cb-db4e-597f-be35-0efefce5bae2.html |author=[[The Canadian Press]] |newspaper=[[The Hamilton Spectator]] |date=June 25, 2019|access-date=July 17, 2023}}</ref>

Continuing her pursuit of the international goals record through the [[2020 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Championship|Qualifying Championship]] for the [[2020 Summer Olympics]], Sinclair scored international goals 184 and 185 against St. Kitts and Nevis to tie and then surpass Wambach for first place in international goals by either men or women.<ref name="BBCJan29"/><ref>{{cite web |date=January 29, 2020 |title=Canada's Christine Sinclair breaks record for most international goals |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/canada-canw/story/4043440/canadas-christine-sinclair-breaks-record-for-most-international-goals |last=Hays |first=Graham |access-date=October 23, 2021 |website=[[ESPN]] |archive-date=October 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023205358/https://www.espn.com/soccer/canada-canw/story/4043440/canadas-christine-sinclair-breaks-record-for-most-international-goals |url-status=live }}</ref> She avowed that "for me it has nothing to do with the record, it's to have young girls be able to dream of playing professionally or represent their country, win Olympic medals. To inspire young girls to pursue their crazy, wild dreams, it's pretty cool."<ref>{{cite news |title=Christine Sinclair, the canny hunter, scores her way into history books |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/feb/07/christine-sinclair-most-international-goals-canada-women |last=Wrack |first=Suzanne |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=February 7, 2020 |access-date=July 17, 2023 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213170240/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/feb/07/christine-sinclair-most-international-goals-canada-women |url-status=live }}</ref> Canada reached the tournament final, thereby qualifying for the Olympics, and lost 3–0 to the United States in the final.<ref>{{cite news |title=Megan Rapinoe on target as USA beat Canada in Concacaf final|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/feb/10/megan-rapinoe-on-target-as-us-beat-canada-in-concacaf-final |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=February 10, 2020|access-date=July 17, 2023}}</ref>

The onset of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] resulted in a shift of the entire global sporting calendar, including the delay of the Olympics by a full year.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/olympic-replay-rio-soccer-christine-sinclair-interview-1.5536155|title=With extra year, Christine Sinclair aiming to change colour of Canada's Olympic medals|last=Dichter|first=Myles|work=[[CBC Sports]]|date=April 17, 2020|access-date=July 17, 2023|archive-date=July 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718021336/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/olympic-replay-rio-soccer-christine-sinclair-interview-1.5536155|url-status=live}}</ref> At the end of 2020, she received her second Bobbie Rosenfeld Award, in recognition of her international goal-scoring record. ''[[Globe & Mail]]'' editor Phil King opined "when the history of women's sports is written in this country, Christine Sinclair deserves her own chapter."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/christine-sinclair-bobbie-rosenfeld-award-1.5855858|title=Christine Sinclair nets 2nd Bobbie Rosenfeld Award with record-breaking year|last=Davidson|first=Neil|work=[[CBC Sports]]|date=December 28, 2020|access-date=July 17, 2023|archive-date=December 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228205119/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/christine-sinclair-bobbie-rosenfeld-award-1.5855858|url-status=live}}</ref> That same month she was honoured at [[The Best FIFA Football Awards]].<ref name="sn-fifa-best"/><ref name="fifa_sinclair_2020bestawards">{{cite press release |title=Sinclair honoured at The Best Awards |url=https://www.fifa.com/the-best-fifa-football-awards/news/sinclair-honoured-at-the-best-awards |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219124339/https://www.fifa.com/the-best-fifa-football-awards/news/sinclair-honoured-at-the-best-awards |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 19, 2020 |publisher=FIFA |access-date=December 21, 2020 |date=December 18, 2020}}</ref> Her 185th international goal was named Canada Soccer's Moment of the Year<ref>{{cite news |title=Christine Sinclair's milestone 185th goal named Canada Soccer's Moment of the Year |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/christine-sinclair-s-milestone-185th-goal-named-canada-soccer-s-moment-of-the-year-1.5835839 |access-date=December 21, 2020 |website=[[CBC Sports]] |date=December 10, 2020 |archive-date=December 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201221063404/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/christine-sinclair-s-milestone-185th-goal-named-canada-soccer-s-moment-of-the-year-1.5835839 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Olympic gold (2021) ===
On July 21, 2021, Sinclair played her 300th match for Canada, in which she scored a goal in a 1–1 draw against hosts Japan in the team's opening match of the [[Football at the 2020 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament|Olympic women's tournament]] in [[Tokyo]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/womens/womensolympic/tokyo2020/match-center/400065428|title=Match Details, Japan vs Canada, Jul 21, 2021|publisher=FIFA|access-date=July 21, 2021|archive-date=July 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721122955/https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/womens/womensolympic/tokyo2020/match-center/400065428|url-status=live}}</ref> Canada accumulated one win and two tied games during group play, before advancing to face Brazil in the quarter-final. Scoreless during regular play, Canada prevailed in the shootout 4–3, despite Sinclair being denied on the opening attempt.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/summer/soccer/womens-soccer-canada-brazil-recap-july-30-1.6123636 |title=Dramatic penalty kicks send Canada's women's soccer team to Olympic semifinals |website=[[CBC Sports]] |last=Murray |first=Nick |date=July 30, 2021 |access-date=August 2, 2021 |archive-date=August 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210809030513/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/summer/soccer/womens-soccer-canada-brazil-recap-july-30-1.6123636 |url-status=live }}</ref> Following this, Sinclair advised coach [[Bev Priestman]] that future penalties in the tournament should be taken by midfielder [[Jessie Fleming]].<ref name=WT221210>{{cite news |url=https://www.wellandtribune.ca/sports/soccer/let-jessie-have-it-how-christine-sinclair-s-penalty-kick-plan-helped-canada-conquer-u/article_bec3c8dd-5d66-5b6e-bb2d-ee98cd62f61f.html |title='Let Jessie have it.' How Christine Sinclair's penalty kick plan helped Canada conquer U.S. at Tokyo Olympics |newspaper=[[The Welland Tribune]] |last1=Sinclair |first1=Christine |last2=Brunt |first2=Stephen |date=December 10, 2022 |access-date=July 18, 2023 |archive-date=July 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718224230/https://www.wellandtribune.ca/sports/soccer/let-jessie-have-it-how-christine-sinclair-s-penalty-kick-plan-helped-canada-conquer-u/article_bec3c8dd-5d66-5b6e-bb2d-ee98cd62f61f.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Canada faced the United States in the semi-final on August 2, a rematch of the 2012 Olympic semi-final. With the game tied 0–0 in the second half, a penalty was drawn by [[Deanne Rose]] for Canada, and Sinclair delivered the ball to Fleming, a gesture that was taken to be an on-the-spot decision by many observers at the time.<ref name=WT221210/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://nationalpost.com/sports/olympics/john-kryk-if-comes-up-christine-sinclair-should-take-penalty-kick-at-gold-medal-game |title=If it comes up, Christine Sinclair should take penalty kick at gold-medal game |newspaper=[[The National Post]]|last1=Kryk |first1=John |date=August 4, 2021 |access-date=July 18, 2023 }}</ref> As Fleming was considered by many to be the team's best younger player, Sinclair later wrote that "some people interpreted me handing Jessie the ball as a passing of the torch. Sometimes people read too much into things."<ref name=WT221210/> Fleming scored, with Canada going on to win the game 1–0 and advance to the Olympic final for the first time in the team's history. This was also their first victory over the United States in twenty years.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/summer/soccer/womens-soccer-canada-usa-recap-aug-2-1.6126694 | title=Canada shocks U.S. in semis, will play for Olympic gold in women's soccer | website=[[CBC Sports]] | last=Heroux | first=Devin | date=August 2, 2021 | access-date=August 2, 2021 | archive-date=January 11, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111043810/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/summer/soccer/womens-soccer-canada-usa-recap-aug-2-1.6126694 | url-status=live }}</ref> In reference to the London Olympics, Sinclair opined afterward that "it was nice to get a little revenge."<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/olympics/article-canada-womens-soccer-exacts-tokyo-olympic-revenge-against-the-united/ | title=Canada women's soccer team exacts Tokyo Olympic revenge against the United States after being robbed at London 2012 | work=[[The Globe & Mail]] | last=Kelly | first=Cathal | date=August 2, 2021 | access-date=August 2, 2021 | url-access=subscription | archive-date=August 2, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802172117/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/olympics/article-canada-womens-soccer-exacts-tokyo-olympic-revenge-against-the-united/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

{{quote box
| quote = The greatest testament to what she has meant to Canadian soccer may well be the fact that in the biggest victory of her career, she wasn't her team's best player on the night. At age 38, she couldn't be. Keeper [[Stephanie Labbé]] took that honour in the end, but [[Jessie Fleming]] and [[Ashley Laurence]] and [[Kadeisha Buchanan]] and [[Vanessa Gilles]] and [[Desiree Scott]] – who was once one of the kids and is now one of the greybeards – all had more influence on the play. 
| source = – Stephen Brunt, [[Sportsnet]]<ref name=Brunt/>
| align = right
| width = 35%
}}

In the final against Sweden on August 6, Sinclair won a penalty, which was once again converted by Fleming to tie the game in the second half of regulation time. Following a 1–1 draw after extra-time, Canada eventually won the match 3–2 on penalty kicks to capture the gold medal in women's soccer for the first time.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/summer/soccer/womens-soccer-canada-sweden-gold-medal-aug-6-1.6131828 |title=Canadian women's soccer team delivers thrilling Olympic gold-medal victory over Sweden |last=Heroux |first=Devin |website=[[CBC Sports]] |date=August 6, 2021 |access-date=July 18, 2023 |archive-date=April 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417100133/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/summer/soccer/womens-soccer-canada-sweden-gold-medal-aug-6-1.6131828 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/olympics/article/canada-claims-gold-olympic-womens-soccer-defeating-sweden-final/ |title=Canada claims gold in Olympic women's soccer after defeating Sweden in final |website=[[Sportsnet]] |date=August 6, 2021 |access-date=August 7, 2021 |archive-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806231505/https://www.sportsnet.ca/olympics/article/canada-claims-gold-olympic-womens-soccer-defeating-sweden-final/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Sinclair was substituted before extra time, her place taken by [[Jordyn Huitema]], and she thus did not feature among the team's participants in the penalty kicks. The Canadian team's victory was widely hailed as the most important moment in its history, and of Canadian soccer in general. Sinclair had not played as large a role on-field as she had for most of her career, with Cathal Kelly of ''The Globe & Mail'' describing her as "first in our hearts and fourth or fifth on the depth chart."<ref name=G&M210806>{{cite news |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/olympics/article-canada-womens-soccer-team-wins-tokyo-olympic-gold-and-20-years-of/ |title=20 years of Christine Sinclair made Tokyo Olympic women's soccer gold possible |newspaper=[[The Globe & Mail]] |last=Kelly |first=Cathal |date=August 6, 2021 |access-date=July 18, 2023 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=July 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718225733/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/olympics/article-canada-womens-soccer-team-wins-tokyo-olympic-gold-and-20-years-of/ |url-status=live }}</ref> However, both Kelly and other commentators unanimously attributed the team's success to Sinclair's long career and leadership.<ref name=Brunt>{{cite news|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/olympics/article/greatness-christine-sinclair-made-olympic-gold-possible/|title=How the greatness of Christine Sinclair made Olympic gold possible|last=Brunt|first=Stephen|website=[[Sportsnet]]|date=August 6, 2021|access-date=July 18, 2023|archive-date=July 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718224230/https://www.sportsnet.ca/olympics/article/greatness-christine-sinclair-made-olympic-gold-possible/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Golden generation lifts iconic Sinclair to the Olympic pinnacle|url=https://olympic.ca/2021/08/06/golden-generation-lifts-iconic-sinclair-to-the-olympic-pinnacle/|last=Squizzato|first=Daniel|publisher=[[Canadian Olympic Committee]]|date=August 6, 2021|access-date=July 18, 2023|archive-date=July 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718224230/https://olympic.ca/2021/08/06/golden-generation-lifts-iconic-sinclair-to-the-olympic-pinnacle/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=G&M210806/>

Having already been honoured at the Best FIFA Football Awards the previous year, at the [[The Best FIFA Football Awards 2021|2021 edition]] she received a Special Award for her goal-scoring record, alongside [[Cristiano Ronaldo]], who had recently set [[List of men's footballers with 50 or more international goals|the men's record]] for the same.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/the-best-fifa-football-awards/media-releases/alexia-putellas-and-robert-lewandowski-crowned-the-best|title=Alexia Putellas and Robert Lewandowski crowned The Best|website=FIFA.com|publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association|date=17 January 2022|access-date=18 July 2023|archive-date=January 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118123926/https://www.fifa.com/the-best-fifa-football-awards/media-releases/alexia-putellas-and-robert-lewandowski-crowned-the-best|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Federation conflicts, sixth World Cup, and retirement (2022–2023) ===
The Tokyo Olympics marked the beginning of a change in Sinclair's usage; the semi-final against the United States was the final international game in which she played a full 90 minutes.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://onesoccer.ca/a/gangue-ruzic-despite-changing-role-christine-sinclair-remains-crucial-to-can-wnt-ahead-of-world-cup|title=Despite changing role, Christine Sinclair remains key to CanWNT|last=Gangué-Ruzic|first=Alexandre|website=[[OneSoccer]]|date=June 12, 2023|access-date=July 18, 2023|archive-date=July 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718224230/https://onesoccer.ca/a/gangue-ruzic-despite-changing-role-christine-sinclair-remains-crucial-to-can-wnt-ahead-of-world-cup|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the Games, she and a number of other veterans became increasingly vocal about the need to establish a women's domestic professional league in Canada, arguing that it was essential to all the national team to keep pace with rival teams and to create more opportunities for the nation's female players.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://toronto.citynews.ca/2023/03/08/christine-sinclair-soccer-legacy-international-womens-day/ |title=Sinclair believes contribution to growth in women's soccer will be what she's most proud of |last1=Bennett |first1=Donnovan |last2=Bond |first2=Meredith |website=Toronto CityNews |date=March 8, 2023 |access-date=July 18, 2023 |archive-date=July 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718224231/https://toronto.citynews.ca/2023/03/08/christine-sinclair-soccer-legacy-international-womens-day/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Sinclair described it as "a disaster to not have a professional league in the country that just won the Olympic Games."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/new-canadian-pro-women-s-soccer-league-to-fill-missing-link-in-player-development-1.6676212 |title=New Canadian pro women's soccer league to fill missing link in player development |last=Larsen |first=Karin |website=[[CBC Sports]] |date=December 6, 2022 |access-date=July 18, 2023}}</ref> In December 2022, she and former teammate [[Diana Matheson]] announced plans to launch a league in 2025, with Matheson taking the lead in organizing it. Sinclair faulted the lack of any progress by the Canada Soccer Association in establishing a professional league in the decade since the London Olympics.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/soccer-matheson-sinclair-pro-canadian-league-1.6664762 |title=Christine Sinclair, Diana Matheson reveal pro Canadian women's soccer league set for kickoff in 2025 |last=Dichter |first=Myles |website=[[CBC Sports]] |date=December 5, 2022 |access-date=July 18, 2023 |archive-date=December 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206022628/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/soccer-matheson-sinclair-pro-canadian-league-1.6664762 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/article/canadian-professional-womens-soccer-league-planning-for-2025-kick-off/|title=Sinclair on new Canadian women's pro soccer league: 'That's all we've ever wanted'|website=[[Sportsnet]]|date=December 5, 2022|access-date=July 18, 2023|archive-date=July 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718224231/https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/article/canadian-professional-womens-soccer-league-planning-for-2025-kick-off/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In addition to issues surrounding the lack of a professional league, Sinclair took the lead in conflicts with the federation over the women's national team's funding and compensation. The team announced that it would not participate in the [[2023 SheBelieves Cup]] in February 2023, but went ahead with the tournament after Canada Soccer threatened legal action against them.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9487458/canada-soccer-women-labour-dispute-sinclair/|title=Canada women's soccer team 'deflated' as labour dispute overshadows key tournament|last=Davidson|first=Neil|website=[[Global News]]|date=February 14, 2023|access-date=July 18, 2023|archive-date=July 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718224229/https://globalnews.ca/news/9487458/canada-soccer-women-labour-dispute-sinclair/|url-status=live}}</ref> With morale low, the team performed poorly and finished last among the four participants.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/canada-japan-shebelieves-cup-recap-feb-22-1.6757005 |title=Canadian women cap disappointing SheBelieves Cup with error-riddled loss to Japan |website=[[CBC Sports]] |date=February 22, 2023 |access-date=July 18, 2023 |archive-date=July 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718225738/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/canada-japan-shebelieves-cup-recap-feb-22-1.6757005 |url-status=live }}</ref> The following month, Sinclair testified before a [[House of Commons of Canada|House of Commons]] [[Canadian House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage|standing committee]], denouncing the federation's treatment of the team and saying that she had been personally insulted by former federation president [[Nick Bontis]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/article/captain-christine-sinclair-slams-canada-soccer-at-parliamentary-hearing/|title=Captain Christine Sinclair slams Canada Soccer at parliamentary hearing|website=[[Sportsnet]]|date=March 9, 2023|access-date=July 18, 2023|archive-date=July 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718224232/https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/article/captain-christine-sinclair-slams-canada-soccer-at-parliamentary-hearing/|url-status=live}}</ref> Bontis would subsequently issue a public apology.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/article-former-canada-soccer-head-quickly-apologizes-to-star-christine/ |title=Former Canada Soccer head quickly apologizes to star Christine Sinclair |newspaper=[[The Globe & Mail]] |last=Brady |first=Rachel |date=March 30, 2023 |access-date=July 18, 2023 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>

Sinclair was named to the Canadian squad for the [[2023 FIFA Women's World Cup]] in Australia and New Zealand, her sixth edition of the tournament, and generally presumed to be her last.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tsn.ca/soccer/christine-sinclair-seeking-women-s-world-cup-title-to-cap-illustrious-career-1.1983871|title=Sinclair seeking World Cup title to cap illustrious career|last=Spiker|first=Brianne|website=[[The Sports Network|TSN]]|date=July 13, 2023|access-date=July 18, 2023}}</ref> As the defending Olympic champions, Canada was among the pre-tournament favourites. Canada was drawn into a group that included host nation [[Australia women's national soccer team|Australia]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/article/fifa-womens-world-cup-group-b-preview-is-sixth-time-a-charm-for-canadas-sinclair/|title=FIFA Women's World Cup Group B Preview: Is sixth time a charm for Canada's Sinclair?|last=Molinaro|first=John F.|website=[[Sportsnet]]|date=July 13, 2023|access-date=July 18, 2023|archive-date=July 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718224230/https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/article/fifa-womens-world-cup-group-b-preview-is-sixth-time-a-charm-for-canadas-sinclair/|url-status=live}}</ref> Canada opened the tournament with its third World Cup meeting with [[Nigeria women's national football team|Nigeria]]. Sinclair drew a penalty after being fouled in the box, but with Fleming absent due to injury concerns, she herself took it. Her attempt was saved by [[Chiamaka Nnadozie]], and as the match ended in a 0–0 draw, this came to be seen as a pivotal moment in the outcome.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/worldcup/canada-nigeria-womens-world-cup-recap-july-20-1.6913174 |title=Sinclair misses penalty kick as Canada ties Nigeria in Women's World Cup opener |last=Davidson |first=Neil |website=[[CBC Sports]] |date=July 21, 2023 |access-date=July 21, 2023 |archive-date=July 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721045018/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/worldcup/canada-nigeria-womens-world-cup-recap-july-20-1.6913174 |url-status=live }}</ref> In a reverse of the 2019 World Cup penalty attempt by Beckie, commentators debated whether it was a mistake for Sinclair to take the penalty.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/soccer/world-cup/world-cup-match-report-christine-sinclair-s-sixth-sense-is-off-in-canada-s-disappointing/article_109841b0-6dc8-578b-a98f-6b83aea75a16.html |title=World Cup match breakdown: Christine Sinclair's sixth sense is off in Canada's disappointing draw with Nigeria |newspaper=[[The Toronto Star]] |last=Callaghan |first=Joe |date=July 21, 2023 |access-date=July 21, 2023 |archive-date=July 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721170714/https://www.thestar.com/sports/soccer/world-cup/world-cup-match-report-christine-sinclair-s-sixth-sense-is-off-in-canada-s-disappointing/article_109841b0-6dc8-578b-a98f-6b83aea75a16.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/article-canadas-womens-world-cup-opener/ |title=Canada should have won its World Cup opener, but several mortal mistakes undid the team |newspaper=[[The Globe & Mail]] |last=Kelly |first=Cathal |date=July 21, 2023 |access-date=July 21, 2023 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=July 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721094224/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/article-canadas-womens-world-cup-opener/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Sinclair did not start against [[Republic of Ireland women's national football team|Ireland]], the first time in her career she had not been in the starting line-up for Canada at the World Cup, but came off the bench for the second half. She was generally credited for helping Canada come back to win 2–1 after a poor first half.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/womens-world-cup/article/canadas-womens-world-cup-comeback-cued-by-veteran-subs-starting-with-sinclair/|title=Canada's Women's World Cup comeback cued by veteran subs, starting with Sinclair|last=Molinaro|first=John F.|website=[[Sportsnet]]|date=July 26, 2023|access-date=July 26, 2023|archive-date=July 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726182021/https://www.sportsnet.ca/womens-world-cup/article/canadas-womens-world-cup-comeback-cued-by-veteran-subs-starting-with-sinclair/|url-status=live}}</ref> Sinclair started in the final group match against Australia, with Canada only requiring draw to qualify for the knockout stage. However, Sinclair was substituted at half-time as Canada trailed 2–0 and ending up losing 4–0, eliminating them from the tournament. Sinclair was observed gathering blades of grass from the field, acknowledging when asked that this was "probably" her final World Cup appearance.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tsn.ca/soccer/fifa-women-s-world-cup/canada-s-christine-sinclair-probably-not-going-to-play-in-another-world-cup-1.1990619|title=Sinclair: 'Probably not going to play in another' World Cup|website=[[The Sports Network|TSN]]|date=July 31, 2023|access-date=August 9, 2023}}</ref> Following the loss, Sinclair renewed her previous public warnings about the need for greater resources for women's soccer in Canada.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/canada-captain-christine-sinclair-sounds-warning-in-wake-of-early-world-cup-exit-1.6501064|title=Canada captain Christine Sinclair sounds warning in wake of early World Cup exit|last=Davidson|first=Neil|website=[[CTV News]]|date=July 31, 2023|access-date=August 9, 2023|archive-date=August 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810230501/https://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/canada-captain-christine-sinclair-sounds-warning-in-wake-of-early-world-cup-exit-1.6501064|url-status=live}}</ref>

Following the disappointment in Australia, coach Priestman made significant alterations to the team's composition in advance of their next fixtures, the two-legged [[Football at the 2024 Summer Olympics – Women's qualification (CONCACAF play-off)|CONCACAF Olympic qualification playoff]] against [[Jamaica women's national football team|Jamaica]] in September. Sinclair did not play in the first match, and came off the bench to play thirty minutes in the second match at [[BMO Field]]. Canada won both matches, securing its fifth consecutive Olympic appearance. Priestman revealed afterward that "Christine told me I want to get this team to the Olympics. … After this window, we'll sit down, we'll reflect."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/article/maturing-canadians-headed-to-olympics-with-dreams-of-defending-crown/|title=Maturing Canadians will get chance to defend Olympic title|last=Molinaro|first=John F.|website=[[Sportsnet]]|date=September 27, 2023|access-date=September 27, 2023|archive-date=September 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927203543/https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/article/maturing-canadians-headed-to-olympics-with-dreams-of-defending-crown/|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{quote box
| quote = I can sit here and know that I've literally done everything I can and given all of me to this national team since I was 16 years old. In terms of what I've done and knowing the work I've put into it, I have zero regrets. I know I've done everything I can for as long as I can. And the team's in good hands moving forward.
| source = – Christine Sinclair <ref name=CBC231020/>
| align = right
| width = 35%
}}

On October 20, Sinclair announced that she would retire from international soccer in December 2023.<ref name=CBC231020>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/christine-sinclair-retirement-soccer-canada-1.7002619 |title=Canadian soccer great Christine Sinclair announces retirement from international play |last=Davidson |first=Neil |website=[[CBC Sports]] |date=October 20, 2023 |access-date=October 20, 2023 |archive-date=October 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020134130/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/christine-sinclair-retirement-soccer-canada-1.7002619 |url-status=live }}</ref> She subsequently revealed that she "was going to walk off and not say a word and just be done" after the Olympic qualifiers, but following the federation scheduling four friendlies in [[Montreal]], [[Halifax, Nova Scotia|Halifax]], [[Victoria, British Columbia|Victoria]] and [[Vancouver]], she was persuaded to play in what was widely described as a "farewell tour."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/christine-sinclair-farewell-tour-1.7009395 |title=Christine Sinclair sees farewell tour with Canada as 'great opportunity' to thank fans |last=Davidson |first=Neil |website=[[CBC Sports]] |date=October 26, 2023 |access-date=October 26, 2023 |archive-date=October 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026203832/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/christine-sinclair-farewell-tour-1.7009395 |url-status=live }}</ref> Sinclair played in her final international match on December 5, a 1–0 victory in a friendly versus Australia, held at [[BC Place]] in Vancouver. In recognition of her achievements, the stadium was renamed "Christine Sinclair Place" for the day.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bcplace.com/news/2023-11-27/bc-place-to-rename-as-christine-sinclair-place-for |title=BC Place to rename as 'Christine Sinclair Place' for soccer legend's final international match for Canada |website=[[BC Place]] |date=November 27, 2023 |access-date=December 6, 2023}}</ref> Sinclair started the match, and was involved in [[Quinn (soccer)|Quinn]]'s game-winning goal. She was substituted in favour of [[Sophie Schmidt]], also making her final international appearance, in the 58th minute. The match was attended by 48,112 people, a record audience for a women's friendly in Canada.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/soccer-christine-sinclair-canada-final-game-recap-1.7050271 |title=Christine Sinclair's Canadian career is over, but her impact will be felt for generations |last=Jones |first=Chris |website=[[CBC Sports]] |date=December 6, 2023 |access-date=December 6, 2023 |archive-date=December 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208154033/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/soccer-christine-sinclair-canada-final-game-recap-1.7050271 |url-status=live }}</ref> At the time of her retirement, Sinclair's 331 international caps was the second-most of all time, behind only American [[Kristine Lilly]].<ref name=Guardian231206/>

== Personal life ==
Described as a highly private individual, Sinclair is known for largely avoiding discussions of her personal life outside of certain causes.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/big-read-the-evolution-of-christine-sinclair/|title=The Evolution of Christine Sinclair|last=Rutherford|first=Kristina|website=[[Sportsnet]]|access-date=July 18, 2023|archive-date=June 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621130705/https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/big-read-the-evolution-of-christine-sinclair/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3733733/2022/10/26/christine-sinclair-book-portland-thorns-canada/|title=Portland Thorns' Christine Sinclair issues manifesto for Canadian women's soccer in new book|last=Yang|first=Steph|website=[[The Athletic]]|date=October 26, 2022|access-date=July 18, 2023|archive-date=July 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718224230/https://theathletic.com/3733733/2022/10/26/christine-sinclair-book-portland-thorns-canada/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=NBC23>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/soccer/soccer-star-christine-sinclair-opens-up-about-mothers-multiple-sclerosis/3256692/|title=Soccer star Christine Sinclair opens up about mother's multiple sclerosis|last=Gavin|first=Mike|website=[[NBC|NBC Bay Area]]|date=June 21, 2023|access-date=July 18, 2023|archive-date=July 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718224230/https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/soccer/soccer-star-christine-sinclair-opens-up-about-mothers-multiple-sclerosis/3256692/|url-status=live}}</ref> Since 2017, she has been active in fundraising for research and treatment of [[multiple sclerosis]], which her mother suffered from.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/christine-sinclair-personal-mission-help-fight-ms-1.4156685|title=Soccer star Christine Sinclair embarks on personal mission to help fight MS|last=Davidson|first=Neil|website=[[CBC Sports]]|date=June 12, 2017|access-date=July 18, 2023|archive-date=July 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718224230/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/christine-sinclair-personal-mission-help-fight-ms-1.4156685|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=NBC23/> Her mother's death in February 2022 prompted Sinclair to write ''Playing the Long Game: A Memoir'', her first extensive account of her life and career.<ref name=NBC23/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/christine-sinclair-playing-the-long-game-1.6640272|title=From 'obnoxious' U.S. team to life-changing coaches, Canadian soccer icon Sinclair opens up in memoir|last=Jacob|first=Vivek|website=[[CBC Sports]]|date=November 4, 2022|access-date=July 18, 2023|archive-date=July 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718225740/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/christine-sinclair-playing-the-long-game-1.6640272|url-status=live}}</ref>

Among other honours received in her career, Sinclair was inducted into [[Canada's Walk of Fame]] in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Lee|first1=Adrian|title=Terry Fox, Christine Sinclair inducted to Canada's Walk of Fame|url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/entertainment/terry-fox-christine-sinclair-inducted-to-canada-s-walk-of-fame-1.1464545|publisher=CTV News|access-date=June 5, 2015|date=September 21, 2013|archive-date=June 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150601125605/http://www.ctvnews.ca/entertainment/terry-fox-christine-sinclair-inducted-to-canada-s-walk-of-fame-1.1464545|url-status=live}}</ref> She received an [[honorary degree]] from [[Simon Fraser University]] later in the same year.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Stewart|first1=Monte|title=Christine Sinclair gets honorary degree from Simon Fraser University|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/christine-sinclair-gets-honorary-laws-degree-from-simon-fraser-university/article14848910/|website=The Globe and Mail|access-date=June 5, 2015|date=October 11, 2013|archive-date=July 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711110425/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/christine-sinclair-gets-honorary-laws-degree-from-simon-fraser-university/article14848910/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2015, Sinclair, along with teammate [[Kadeisha Buchanan]], was featured on a Canadian postage stamp commemorating the 2015 Women's World Cup hosted by Canada.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Goldberg|first1=Jamie|title=Christine Sinclair to appear on stamp commemorating Canada hosting FIFA Women's World Cup|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/portland-thorns/2015/05/christine_sinclair_to_appear_o.html|newspaper=The Oregonian|access-date=June 5, 2015|date=May 5, 2015|archive-date=August 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801025116/http://www.oregonlive.com/portland-thorns/2015/05/christine_sinclair_to_appear_o.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On June 30, 2017, she was appointed an [[Order of Canada#Grades|Officer]] of the [[Order of Canada]], the second-highest award a civilian can receive,<ref name=":0">{{cite news|url=https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/b-c-soccer-star-christine-sinclair-appointed-to-order-of-canada|title=Burnaby soccer star Christine Sinclair appointed to Order of Canada|date=June 30, 2017|newspaper=The Vancouver Sun|access-date=October 13, 2017|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126163715/https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/b-c-soccer-star-christine-sinclair-appointed-to-order-of-canada|url-status=live}}</ref> with [[investiture]] of the award on January 24, 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/christine-sinclair-invested-officer-order-canada/|title=Christine Sinclair invested as an Officer in the Order of Canada|date=January 24, 2018|work=Sportsnet.ca|access-date=January 24, 2018|archive-date=January 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124231003/http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/christine-sinclair-invested-officer-order-canada/|url-status=live}}</ref> Of the honour she said, "I am a very, very proud Canadian, I am proud of where I am from, and to be recognized in this nature is surreal. It's not something you can dream about happening to you. I can dream of winning a World Cup or an Olympic gold medal, and that's my job, but to have your country recognize you – I don't even know what to say."<ref name=":0" />

In June 2021, her home city of [[Burnaby]] announced that they would be renaming the Fortius Sport and Health Facilities in her honour, the Facilities becoming the Christine Sinclair Community Centre.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.burnabynow.com/local-news/burnabys-new-community-centre-renamed-after-soccer-great-christine-sinclair-3835718|title=Burnaby's new community centre renamed after soccer great Christine Sinclair|website=Burnaby Now|date=June 2, 2021|access-date=June 6, 2021|archive-date=June 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606053535/https://www.burnabynow.com/local-news/burnabys-new-community-centre-renamed-after-soccer-great-christine-sinclair-3835718|url-status=live}}</ref>

On October 7, 2024, it was announced that Sinclair would join the ownership group for [[Vancouver Rise FC]] of the [[Northern Super League]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pathak |first=Manasi |title=Christine Sinclair Will Join Ownership Group Of Vancouver Rise FC |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/manasipathak-1/2024/10/08/christine-sinclair-will-join-ownership-group-of-vancouver-rise-fc/ |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=Forbes |language=en |archive-date=October 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241008180340/https://www.forbes.com/sites/manasipathak-1/2024/10/08/christine-sinclair-will-join-ownership-group-of-vancouver-rise-fc/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Player profile ==

=== Style of play ===
Widely regarded as Canada's greatest soccer player of all time<ref name="Christine Sinclair and Canada take their soccer lumps">{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/christine-sinclair-and-canada-take-their-soccer-lumps/article625521/|title=Christine Sinclair and Canada take their soccer lumps|website=The Globe and Mail|author1=Stephen Brunt|date=June 26, 2011|access-date=January 17, 2016|archive-date=February 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204011953/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/christine-sinclair-and-canada-take-their-soccer-lumps/article625521/|url-status=live}}</ref> and one of the foremost soccer players in history.<ref name="Sinclair's last-minute penalty rescues Canada in World Cup opener">{{cite web|url=https://www.thescore.com/wwcup/news/776469|title=Sinclair's last-minute penalty rescues Canada in World Cup opener|publisher=The Score|author1=Gianluca Nesci|date=June 6, 2015|access-date=January 17, 2016}}</ref><ref name="Canada's Christine Sinclair is the world's best female player">{{cite web|url=https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/eh-game/canadian-striker-christine-sinclair-world-best-female-player-194418412.html|title=Canada's Christine Sinclair is the world's best female player, according to U.S. rival Hope Solo|publisher=Yahoo|author1=Andrew Bucholtz|date=May 7, 2014|access-date=January 17, 2016|archive-date=January 31, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131212656/https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/eh-game/canadian-striker-christine-sinclair-world-best-female-player-194418412.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer-superstar-christine-sinclair-exudes-confidence/article625367/|title=Soccer superstar Christine Sinclair exudes confidence|website=The Globe and Mail|author1=Stephen Brunt|date=June 17, 2011|access-date=January 17, 2016|archive-date=February 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204012827/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer-superstar-christine-sinclair-exudes-confidence/article625367/|url-status=live}}</ref> Sinclair is a fast, well-rounded, physically strong, and intelligent [[Forward (association football)|forward]], known for her ball skills, athleticism, technique, and field vision.<ref name="Christine Sinclair and Canada take their soccer lumps"/><ref name=canadasoccer.com /> An accurate finisher and a highly prolific goalscorer,<ref name="Star bio: Canada's Christine Sinclair">{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/star-bio-canada-s-christine-sinclair-1.1012578|title=Star bio: Canada's Christine Sinclair|publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]]|date=June 15, 2011|access-date=January 17, 2016|archive-date=June 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150601051953/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/star-bio-canada-s-christine-sinclair-1.1012578|url-status=live}}</ref> she is a versatile and hard-working player who is capable of playing both as a [[striker (association football)|striker]] and also as an [[attacking midfielder|advanced]] [[playmaker]] in [[Midfielder|midfield]], due to her passing accuracy, ability to read the game, link-up with other midfielders, and creation of chances for teammates.<ref name="Canada's Christine Sinclair is the world's best female player"/><ref name=canadasoccer.com/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/hope-solo-christine-sinclair-is-world-s-best-player-1.2633918|title=Hope Solo: Christine Sinclair is world's best player|publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]]|date=May 6, 2014|access-date=January 17, 2016|archive-date=August 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817003942/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/hope-solo-christine-sinclair-is-world-s-best-player-1.2633918|url-status=live}}</ref> Sinclair is also capable of scoring from [[Direct free kick|free-kicks]] and [[Penalty kick (association football)|penalties]].<ref name="Christine Sinclair and Canada take their soccer lumps"/><ref name="Sinclair's last-minute penalty rescues Canada in World Cup opener"/> Moreover, she has been labelled as a "big game" player in the media,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://olympic.ca/2012/12/10/sinclair-wins-lou-marsh/ |title=Sinclair wins Lou Marsh |publisher=olympic.ca |date=December 10, 2012 |access-date=June 13, 2019 |archive-date=December 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181201224841/https://olympic.ca/2012/12/10/sinclair-wins-lou-marsh/ |url-status=live }}</ref> due to her penchant for scoring goals in important games for her country, as illustrated by her hat-trick against the United States in the semi-finals of the 2012 Olympic Games.<ref name="TSN Profile">{{cite web |url=https://www.tsn.ca/canadian-player-profile-christine-sinclair-1.1315820 |title=Canadian player profile: Christine Sinclair |publisher=TSN |date=June 3, 2019 |access-date=June 13, 2019 |archive-date=November 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101200953/https://www.tsn.ca/canadian-player-profile-christine-sinclair-1.1315820 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/canada-womens-soccer-2012-london-olympics-bronze-christine-sinclair/ |title=2012 Olympics: Looking back at Canada's medal run |publisher=Sportsnet.ca |author1=Sandra Prusina |date=August 1, 2016 |access-date=June 13, 2019 |archive-date=October 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028005758/https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/canada-womens-soccer-2012-london-olympics-bronze-christine-sinclair/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In addition to her soccer abilities, she has stood out for her leadership and defensive work-rate throughout her career.<ref name="Canada's Christine Sinclair is the world's best female player"/><ref name="Star bio: Canada's Christine Sinclair"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/women-s-world-cup-christine-sinclair-s-speech-inspired-canada-1.3098888|title=Women's World Cup: Christine Sinclair's speech inspired Canada|publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]]|date=June 3, 2015|access-date=January 17, 2016|archive-date=June 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150608053633/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/women-s-world-cup-christine-sinclair-s-speech-inspired-canada-1.3098888|url-status=live}}</ref>

== In popular culture ==
=== Television and film ===
Sinclair was the focus of a digital short documentary entitled ''The Captain'' in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|title=Christine Sinclair gives her everything in new documentary|url=http://olympic.ca/press/christine-sinclair-gives-her-everything-in-new-documentary/|publisher=Canadian Olympic Committee|access-date=June 5, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140213102946/http://olympic.ca/press/christine-sinclair-gives-her-everything-in-new-documentary/|archive-date=February 13, 2014}}</ref> She was featured in an episode of ''The Difference Makers with Rick Hansen'' the same year.<ref>{{cite web|title=Christine Sinclair|date=December 17, 2012|url=https://vimeo.com/55825756|publisher=Candela Collective, Inc|access-date=June 5, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304072527/https://vimeo.com/55825756|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2015, she was featured in the [[The Sports Network|TSN]] documentary, ''RISE,'' along with the rest of the Canadian national team.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Doyle|first1=John|title=TSN doc Rise an intimate look at Canada's World Cup women|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/television/doyle-tsn-doc-rise-an-intimate-look-at-canadas-world-cup-women/article24594324/|website=The Globe and Mail|access-date=June 5, 2015|date=May 25, 2015|archive-date=October 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002191913/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/television/doyle-tsn-doc-rise-an-intimate-look-at-canadas-world-cup-women/article24594324/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=RISE Trailer|url=http://soccer.tsn.ca/video/rise-trailer/|publisher=TSN|access-date=June 5, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304080711/http://soccer.tsn.ca/video/rise-trailer/|archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref> She starred in a national television commercial for [[Coca-Cola]] during the summer of 2015.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://strategyonline.ca/2015/05/05/check-it-out-coke-gets-in-the-game/|title=Check it out: Coke gets in the game|date=May 5, 2015|work=strategy|access-date=October 15, 2017|archive-date=October 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171015145842/http://strategyonline.ca/2015/05/05/check-it-out-coke-gets-in-the-game/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Magazines ===
Sinclair was featured on the cover of the June 2013 issue of ''[[The Walrus]]''.<ref>{{cite news|title=June 2013|url=http://thewalrus.ca/category/issues/2013-06/|newspaper=The Walrus|access-date=June 5, 2015|archive-date=March 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317081852/http://thewalrus.ca/category/issues/2013-06/|url-status=live}}</ref> She was featured ''[[Sportsnet Magazine]]'' in the edition dated June 8, 2015.<ref name=sportsnet_evolution /> She was featured on the covers of ''Ottawa Life Magazine'' (May/June 2015),<ref>{{cite news|title=May / June 2015|url=http://issuu.com/ottawalifers/docs/may-june-15|newspaper=Ottawa Life|access-date=June 5, 2015|archive-date=March 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321223556/https://issuu.com/ottawalifers/docs/may-june-15|url-status=live}}</ref> ''FACES Magazine'' (December 2015),<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=FACES Magazine|title=Christine Sinclair|url=https://issuu.com/facesottawa/docs/dec2015_issuu|access-date=June 30, 2017|date=December 2015|archive-date=February 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226062917/https://issuu.com/facesottawa/docs/dec2015_issuu|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''[[Canadian Business]]'' (August 2016).<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=Canadian Business |date=August 2016 |url=http://www.canadianbusiness.com/olympics/christine-sinclair-on-how-to-motivate-a-team-under-pressure/ |title=Christine Sinclair on how to motivate a team under pressure |access-date=August 4, 2016 |archive-date=August 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160805170841/http://www.canadianbusiness.com/olympics/christine-sinclair-on-how-to-motivate-a-team-under-pressure/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Other work ===
Sinclair was featured on the Canadian version of [[EA Sports]]' ''[[FIFA 16]]'' (2016) [[video game]]. Along with [[Portland Thorns FC]] teammates [[Alex Morgan]] and [[Steph Catley]], Sinclair was one of the first women to appear on the cover of any [[EA Sports]] game.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/christine-sinclair-on-cover-of-fifa-16-video-game-in-canada/article25593351/|title=Christine Sinclair on cover of 'FIFA 16' video game in Canada|newspaper=The Globe and Mail|author1=Neil Davidson|date=July 20, 2015|access-date=September 23, 2015|archive-date=July 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725070203/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/christine-sinclair-on-cover-of-fifa-16-video-game-in-canada/article25593351/|url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2017, Sinclair partnered with [[A&W (Canada)|A&W]] and the [[Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada]] on a nationwide awareness campaign for [[multiple sclerosis]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/christine-sinclair-personal-mission-help-fight-ms-1.4156685|title=Soccer star Christine Sinclair embarks on personal mission to help fight MS|work=CBC Sports|access-date=October 15, 2017|archive-date=October 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013160830/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/christine-sinclair-personal-mission-help-fight-ms-1.4156685|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/soccer-star-christine-sinclair-sets-her-sights-on-beating-ms-through-supporting-aws-burgers-to-beat-ms-635144753.html|title=Soccer Star Christine Sinclair sets her sights on Beating MS through supporting A&W's Burgers to Beat MS|website=newswire.ca|access-date=October 15, 2017|archive-date=October 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171015095219/http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/soccer-star-christine-sinclair-sets-her-sights-on-beating-ms-through-supporting-aws-burgers-to-beat-ms-635144753.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Career statistics ==

=== Club ===
{{updated|match played November 10, 2024|<ref name="Soccerway profile">{{cite web |title=C. Sinclair |url=http://ca.women.soccerway.com/players/christine-sinclair/19524/ |publisher=Soccerway |access-date=October 12, 2017 |archive-date=October 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008000102/http://ca.women.soccerway.com/players/christine-sinclair/19524/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|[[NWSL Challenge Cup]] started in 2020}}
!colspan="2"|Playoffs
!colspan="2"|Continental
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[FC Gold Pride]]
|[[2009 Women's Professional Soccer season|2009]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Women's Professional Soccer|WPS]]
|17||6||colspan="2"|—||0||0||colspan="2"|—||17||6
|-
|[[2010 Women's Professional Soccer season|2010]]
|23||12||colspan="2"|—||1||0||colspan="2"|—||24||12
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!40!!18!!0!!0!!1!!0!!0!!0!!41!!18
|-
|[[Western New York Flash]]
|[[2011 Women's Professional Soccer season|2011]]
|WPS
|15||10||colspan="2"|—||1||1||colspan="2"|—||16||11
|-
|rowspan="13"|[[Portland Thorns FC]]
|[[2013 Portland Thorns FC season|2013]]
|rowspan="12"|[[National Women's Soccer League|NWSL]]
|20||8||colspan="2"|—||2||1||colspan="2"|—||22||9
|-
|[[2014 Portland Thorns FC season|2014]]
|23||7||colspan="2"|—||1||0||colspan="2"|—||24||7
|-
|[[2015 Portland Thorns FC season|2015]]
|9||2||colspan="2"|—||0||0||colspan="2"|—||9||2
|-
|[[2016 Portland Thorns FC season|2016]]
|11||6||colspan="2"|—||1||1||colspan="2"|—||12||7
|-
|[[2017 Portland Thorns FC season|2017]]
|24||8||colspan="2"|—||2||1||colspan="2"|—||26||9
|-
|[[2018 Portland Thorns FC season|2018]]
|24||9||colspan="2"|—||2||0||colspan="2"|—||26||9
|-
|[[2019 Portland Thorns FC season|2019]]
|17||9||colspan="2"|—||1||0||colspan="2"|—||18||9
|-
|[[2020 Portland Thorns FC season|2020]]
|4||6||6||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||10||6
|-
|[[2021 Portland Thorns FC season|2021]]
|15||5||3||2||0||0||colspan="2"|—||18||7
|-
|[[2022 Portland Thorns FC season|2022]]
|14||5||5||1||2||0||colspan="2"|—||21||6
|-
|[[2023 Portland Thorns FC season|2023]]
|19||3||2||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||22||3
|-
|[[2024 Portland Thorns FC season|2024]]
|24||4||3||1||1||0||3||3||31||8
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!204!!72!!19!!4!!13!!3!!3!!3!!239!!82
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!259!!100!!16!!3!!15!!4!!3!!3!!293!!110
|}

{{notelist}}

=== International ===
{{see also|List of international goals scored by Christine Sinclair}}
<!-- This transclusion brings in the summary tables from the "List" page -->
{{:List of international goals scored by Christine Sinclair}}

== Honours ==
'''University of Portland Pilots'''
* [[NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship]]: [[2002 NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Tournament|2002]], [[2005 NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Tournament|2005]]

'''Vancouver Whitecaps FC'''
* [[USL W-League (1995–2015)|USL W-League]]: [[2006 USL W-League season]]

'''FC Gold Pride'''
* [[Women's Professional Soccer|WPS Championship]]: [[2010 Women's Professional Soccer season|2010]]

'''Western New York Flash'''
* [[Women's Professional Soccer|WPS Championship]]: [[2011 Women's Professional Soccer season|2011]]

'''Portland Thorns FC'''
* [[NWSL Championship]]: [[2013 National Women's Soccer League season#NWSL Championship|2013]], [[2017 National Women's Soccer League season#NWSL Championship|2017]], [[2022 National Women's Soccer League season#Playoffs|2022]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Azzi |first=Alex |date=2022-10-30 |title=Portland Thorns win 2022 NWSL Championship, MVP Smith scores game winner |url=https://onherturf.nbcsports.com/2022/10/29/portland-thorns-win-2022-nwsl-championship/ |access-date=2022-11-01 |website=On Her Turf |language=en-US |archive-date=March 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320101906/https://onherturf.nbcsports.com/2022/10/29/portland-thorns-win-2022-nwsl-championship/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[NWSL Shield]]: [[2016 National Women's Soccer League season#League standings|2016]], [[2021 National Women's Soccer League season#Regular season|2021]]
* [[NWSL Challenge Cup]]: [[2021 NWSL Challenge Cup|2021]]
* [[NWSL Community Shield]]: [[2020 National Women's Soccer League season#Fall Series|2020]]
* [[Women's International Champions Cup|International Champions Cup]]: [[2021 Women's International Champions Cup#Final|2021]]
'''Canada'''
* [[Summer Olympic Games|Summer Olympics]]: [[Football at the 2020 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament#Gold medal match|2021]]
* [[CONCACAF W Championship|CONCACAF Women's Championship]]: [[2010 CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup|2010]]
* [[Pan American Games]]: [[Football at the 2011 Pan American Games – Women's tournament|2011]]
* [[Algarve Cup]]: [[2016 Algarve Cup#Final|2016]]
* [[Cyprus Women's Cup]]: [[2008 Cyprus Women's Cup|2008]], [[2010 Cyprus Women's Cup|2010]], [[2011 Cyprus Women's Cup|2011]]
* [[Four Nations Tournament (women's football)|Four Nations Tournament]]: [[2015 Four Nations Tournament (women's football)|2015]]
'''Individual'''
* [[FIFA World Player of the Year]]: 2002 (6th), 2005 (candidate), 2006 (candidate), 2007 (candidate),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.canadasoccer.com/profile/?id=2971|title=Profile - Christine Sinclair|date=January 28, 2020|publisher=Canada Soccer|access-date=23 October 2021|archive-date=January 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116120822/https://www.canadasoccer.com/profile/?id=2971|url-status=live}}</ref> 2008 (8th), 2010 (7th), 2012 (5th), 2016 (8th) <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/fifa-awards.html |title=FIFA Awards – Women Player of the Year - Top 12 |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |access-date=18 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009090007/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/fifa-awards.html |archive-date=9 October 2021}}</ref>
* [[The Best FIFA Football Awards#FIFA Special Award for an Outstanding Career Achievement|The Best FIFA Special Award for Outstanding Career Achievement]]: [[The Best FIFA Football Awards 2021#The Best FIFA Special Award|2021]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sinclair: This is once-in-a-lifetime recognition |url=https://resources.qa.fifa.com/the-best-fifa-football-awards/news/sinclair-canada-the-best-interview-this-is-once-in-a-lifetime-recognition |accessdate=January 18, 2022 |publisher=FIFA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Davidson |first=Neil |date=January 17, 2022 |title=FIFA recognizes Canada captain Christine Sinclair for record goal-scoring {{!}} CBC Sports |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/christine-sinclair-fifa-awards-gala-1.6318040 |access-date=17 January 2022 |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |agency=The Canadian Press |archive-date=January 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118005809/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/christine-sinclair-fifa-awards-gala-1.6318040 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Canada Soccer Awards|Canada Soccer President's Award]]: 2022
* [[IFFHS World Team#Women Team of the Decade (2011–2020)|IFFHS CONCACAF Women's Team of the Decade]]: 2011–2020<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.iffhs.com/index.php/posts/927 |title=IFFHS Woman Team - CONCACAF - of the Decade 2011-2020 |work=IFFHS |date=January 29, 2021 |access-date=June 12, 2021 |archive-date=June 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612130152/https://www.iffhs.com/index.php/posts/927 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Women's Olympic football tournament records and statistics#Top scorers by tournament|Summer Olympic Golden Boot]]: [[Football at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament#Statistics|2012]]<ref name="ca_olympics_2012_bio" />
* [[CONCACAF W Championship|CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup]] Best XI: [[2002 CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup#Awards|2002]]
* [[CONCACAF W Championship#Awards|CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup Golden Boot]]: [[2002 CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup#Awards|2002]], [[2006 CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup#Awards|2006]]
* [[Football at the Pan American Games|Pan American Games]] Golden Boot: [[Football at the 2011 Pan American Games – Women's tournament#Goalscorers|2011]]
* [[FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup#Awards|FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship Golden Ball]]: [[2002 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship#Awards|2002]]<ref>{{cite news |title=USA won the gold at 2002 U19 Women's World Cup, but Canada won the event |newspaper=Edmonton Sun |url=https://edmontonsun.com/2014/08/01/usa-won-the-gold-at-2002-u19-womens-world-cup-but-canada-won-the-event |access-date=October 23, 2021}}</ref>
* [[FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup|FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship]] Best XI: [[2002 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship|2002]]
* [[FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup#Awards|FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship Golden Boot]]: [[2002 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship#Awards|2002]]<ref>{{cite news |title=USA won the gold at 2002 U19 Women's World Cup, but Canada won the event |newspaper=Edmonton Sun |url=http://www.edmontonsun.com/2014/08/01/usa-won-the-gold-at-2002-u19-womens-world-cup-but-canada-won-the-event |access-date=October 23, 2021 |archive-date=October 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023205401/https://edmontonsun.com/2014/08/01/usa-won-the-gold-at-2002-u19-womens-world-cup-but-canada-won-the-event |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Algarve Cup#Individuals|Algarve Cup Top Scorer]]: [[2018 Algarve Cup#Awards|2018]]
* [[Cyprus Women's Cup|Cyprus Women's Cup Top Scorer]]: [[2008 Cyprus Women's Cup#Goalscorers|2008]], [[2009 Cyprus Women's Cup|2009]]
* WPS Championship Final MVP: [[2011 Women's Professional Soccer Playoffs|2011]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Purdy |first1=Jacqueline |date=August 27, 2011 |title=Christine Sinclair Named MVP of the Final |url=https://www.espn.com/espnw/news/story/_/id/6902423/wps-playoffs-christine-sinclair-named-mvp-wps-final |access-date=October 18, 2021 |publisher=ESPN |archive-date=October 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023205359/https://www.espn.com/espnw/news/story/_/id/6902423/wps-playoffs-christine-sinclair-named-mvp-wps-final |url-status=live }}</ref>
* WPS Best XI: [[2011 Women's Professional Soccer season#2011 WPS Best XI|2011]]
* [[NWSL Second XI]]: [[2013 National Women's Soccer League season#Annual awards|2013]], [[2018 National Women's Soccer League season#Annual awards|2018]]
* [[Lou Marsh Award]]: 2012<ref>{{cite web |date=December 10, 2012 |title=Christine Sinclair wins Lou Marsh Award |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/christine-sinclair-wins-lou-marsh-award-1.1212858 |access-date=October 23, 2021 |publisher=CBC Sports |archive-date=December 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141222163022/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/christine-sinclair-wins-lou-marsh-award-1.1212858 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Bobbie Rosenfeld Award]]: 2012, 2020<ref>{{cite web |date=December 27, 2012 |title=Christine Sinclair wins Rosenfeld award as Canada's top female athlete |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/christine-sinclair-wins-rosenfeld-award-as-canada-s-top-female-athlete-1.1270951 |access-date=October 23, 2021 |publisher=CBC Sports |archive-date=December 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211218213923/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/christine-sinclair-wins-rosenfeld-award-as-canada-s-top-female-athlete-1.1270951 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Canadian Player of the Decade: 2010-2019<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/christine-sinclair-canada-soccer-player-of-the-decade-1.5399498|title=Christine Sinclair honoured as Canadian soccer player of the decade|last1=The Canadian Press|access-date=October 18, 2021|date=December 17, 2019|archive-date=October 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009193447/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/christine-sinclair-canada-soccer-player-of-the-decade-1.5399498|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Canadian Player of the Year]]: 2000, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018<ref name="Canadian Soccer Association">{{cite web|url=https://canadasoccer.com/christine-sinclair-honoured-with-14th-canadian-player-of-the-year-award-p161973|title=Christine Sinclair honoured with 14th Canadian Player of the Year award|website=CanadaSoccer.com|publisher=Canadian Soccer Association|date=December 11, 2018|access-date=December 11, 2018|archive-date=December 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216210904/https://www.canadasoccer.com/christine-sinclair-honoured-with-14th-canadian-player-of-the-year-award-p161973|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Hermann Trophy|MAC Hermann Trophy]]: 2004, 2005<ref>{{cite web|title=Winners - MAC Hermann Trophy|url=http://www.machermanntrophy.org/winners/|access-date=23 October 2021|archive-date=October 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023205359/http://www.machermanntrophy.org/winners/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Thorns Supporters Player of the Year: 2018<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2018/10/17/17990988/thorns-announce-2018-club-awards|title=Thorns announce 2018 club awards|last1=Best|first1=Katelyn|publisher=SBNation/Stumptown Footy|access-date=18 October 2021|date=October 17, 2018|archive-date=October 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023205359/https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2018/10/17/17990988/thorns-announce-2018-club-awards|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Canada Soccer Hall of Fame]]: 2025<ref name=davidson />
'''Orders'''
* [[Order of British Columbia]] (OBC)<ref name=CBC220802>{{Cite web |title=Canadian soccer star Christine Sinclair appointed to Order of British Columbia |agency=The Canadian Press |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=August 2, 2022 |access-date=2 August 2022 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/christine-sinclair-order-of-british-columbia-1.6538960 |archive-date=August 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220802222409/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/christine-sinclair-order-of-british-columbia-1.6538960 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Order of Canada#Grades|Officer of the Order of Canada]] (OC)<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/christine-sinclair-invested-officer-order-canada/|title=Christine Sinclair invested as an Officer in the Order of Canada|date=January 24, 2018|work=Sportsnet.ca|access-date=October 23, 2021|archive-date=February 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203132455/https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/christine-sinclair-invested-officer-order-canada/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Sinclair awarded Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal {{!}} Canada Soccer|url=https://canadasoccer.com/news/sinclair-awarded-queen-elizabeth-ii-diamond-jubilee-medal/|website=www.canadasoccer.com|access-date=October 23, 2021|archive-date=October 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023205359/https://canadasoccer.com/news/sinclair-awarded-queen-elizabeth-ii-diamond-jubilee-medal/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Canada|Women's association football|Sports|Olympics|Association football|Biography}}

* [[List of women's footballers with 100 or more international goals]]
* [[List of women's footballers with 100 or more caps]]
* [[List of Olympic medalists in football]]
* [[List of inductees of Canada's Walk of Fame]]
* [[List of FC Gold Pride players]]
* [[List of Vancouver Whitecaps Women players]]
* [[List of Academic All-America Team Members of the Year]]
* [[List of recipients of Today's Top 10 Award]]
* [[List of Canadian sports personalities]]

{{Clear}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* Donaldson, Chelsea (2014), ''Christine Sinclair'', Capstone Canada, {{ISBN|1-4914-1978-4}}
* Fan Hong, J. A. Mangan (2004), ''Soccer, Women, Sexual Liberation: Kicking Off a New Era'', Taylor & Francis, {{ISBN|0-7146-8408-2}}
* Grainey, Timothy (2012), ''Beyond Bend It Like Beckham: The Global Phenomenon of Women's Soccer'', University of Nebraska Press, {{ISBN|0-8032-4036-8}}
* Kassouf, Jeff (2011), ''Girls Play to Win Soccer'', Norwood House Press, {{ISBN|1-59953-464-9}}
* Mooney, Maggie (2010), ''Canada's Top 100: The Greatest Athletes of All Time'', Greystone Books, {{ISBN|1-55365-557-5}}
* Stevens, Dakota (2011), ''A Look at the Women's Professional Soccer Including the Soccer Associations, Teams, Players, Awards, and More'', BiblioBazaar, {{ISBN|1-241-04746-4}}
* Stewart, Barbara (2012), ''Women's Soccer: The Passionate Game'', D&M Publishers Incorporated, {{ISBN|1-926812-60-3}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* {{FIFA player|190146}}
* {{Canada Soccer player|id=2971}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150727103555/http://www.timbers.com/players/christine-sinclair Portland Thorns FC player profile]
* [https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/star-bio-canada-s-christine-sinclair-1.1012578 Star bio: Canada's Christine Sinclair]
* ''[http://thewalrus.ca/the-game-not-played/ The game not played]'' by Richard Poplak at [[The Walrus]]
* {{Team Canada}}
* {{Olympics.com profile|christine-sinclair}}
* {{Olympedia}}
{{Navboxes
| title=Canada squads
| bg=red
| fg=white
| bordercolor=white
| list1=
{{Canada squad 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup}}
{{Canada squad 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup}}
{{Canada women's football squad 2008 Summer Olympics}}
{{Canada squad 2010 CONCACAF Women's World Cup Qualifying}}
{{Canada squad 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup}}
{{Canada women's football squad 2012 Summer Olympics}}
{{Canada squad 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup}}
{{Canada women's football squad 2016 Summer Olympics}}
{{Canada squad 2018 CONCACAF Women's Championship}}
{{Canada squad 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup}}
{{Canada women's football squad 2020 Summer Olympics}}
{{Canada squad 2022 CONCACAF W Championship}}
{{Canada squad 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup}}
}}
{{Navboxes
| title=Awards
| bg=gold
| fg=navy
| list1=
{{Canadian Player of the Year}}
{{Summer Olympics Women's football tournament top scorers}}
{{FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup awards}}
{{2013 NWSL Teams of the Year}}
{{2018 NWSL Teams of the Year}}
{{FIFA Special Award}}
{{M.A.C. Hermann Trophy Women's Recipients}}
{{Academic All-America of the Year}}
{{Lou Marsh Trophy}}
{{Bobbie Rosenfeld Award}}
{{Honda Sports Award}}
{{Soccer America Women's Player of the Year navbox}}
}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sinclair, Christine}}
[[Category:1983 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:2003 FIFA Women's World Cup players]]
[[Category:2007 FIFA Women's World Cup players]]
[[Category:2011 FIFA Women's World Cup players]]
[[Category:2015 FIFA Women's World Cup players]]
[[Category:Women's association football forwards]]
[[Category:Canada women's youth international soccer players]]
[[Category:Canadian expatriate sportspeople in the United States]]
[[Category:Canadian expatriate women's soccer players]]
[[Category:Canadian women's soccer players]]
[[Category:Canada women's international soccer players]]
[[Category:FIFA Women's Century Club]]
[[Category:FC Gold Pride players]]
[[Category:Footballers at the 2007 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:Footballers at the 2008 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Footballers at the 2011 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:Footballers at the 2012 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Northern Star Award winners]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2012 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2016 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:National Women's Soccer League players]]
[[Category:Olympic bronze medalists for Canada]]
[[Category:Olympic medalists in football]]
[[Category:Olympic soccer players for Canada]]
[[Category:Pan American Games gold medalists for Canada]]
[[Category:Pan American Games soccer players for Canada]]
[[Category:Pan American Games bronze medalists for Canada]]
[[Category:Portland Pilots women's soccer players]]
[[Category:Portland Thorns FC players]]
[[Category:Soccer players from Burnaby]]
[[Category:Vancouver Whitecaps FC (women) players]]
[[Category:Western New York Flash players]]
[[Category:Footballers at the 2016 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Pan American Games gold medalists in football]]
[[Category:Pan American Games bronze medalists in football]]
[[Category:Officers of the Order of Canada]]
[[Category:Hermann Trophy women's winners]]
[[Category:2019 FIFA Women's World Cup players]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2011 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2007 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:Footballers at the 2020 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2020 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Olympic gold medalists for Canada]]
[[Category:Women's Professional Soccer players]]
[[Category:2023 FIFA Women's World Cup players]]
[[Category:Members of the Order of British Columbia]]
[[Category:21st-century Canadian sportswomen]]