Christine Sinclair's retirement announcement has soccer fans mourning Canada's soccer legend: 'A hero to so many'

Women's soccer legend Christine Sinclair is officially hanging up the boots.

The Canadian icon will finish out her final season with the Portland Thorns, with the NWSL club planning to honour her before their final regular season contest on November 1. Sinclair retired from international competition last year, suiting up for her final contest for Canada in December 2023.

The 41-year-old announced the news via an Instagram post on Friday.

"Soccer been my passion since I was 4 years old and it has taken me on a journey I could have never imagined. The game led me to making the most impactful decision of my life: to attend the University of Portland," wrote Sinclair.

"For the last 11 years it has been an honour to be part of the Portland Thorns organization. The club that showed the world what is possible when women's sports are invested in," she added. "As I finish out this last ride, I want to say what a privilege it has been to represent this unique, beautiful and passionate city that I will always call home."

Sinclair capped her retirement post by hinting that although her playing days are coming to an end, her job of growing the women's game is just getting started.

"I still have the same passion as that young 4 year old growing up in Burnaby, BC, but as I hang up my playing boots, I vow to channel it in a new way... To continue growing the game I love, while inspiring the next generation," she wrote.

Sinclair's off-field career may just begin in her home province of British Columbia with Vancouver Rise FC of the newly formed Northern Super League, who teased that the 25-year professional may be taking a role with the new club:

Her longtime club — one she's been with for a whopping 12 seasons — paid tribute to a soccer legend with a beautiful video montage on Friday.

Canada Soccer and the Canadian Women's National Team also showed tonnes of love for Sinclair, who is easily one of the greatest and most impactful international players, man or woman, of all-time.

"Today marks the end of an era, as Christine Sinclair—a true Canadian icon, Olympic champion, and world record holder for international goals—has announced her retirement from professional soccer with the Portland Thorns. Christine has not only been a remarkable player but a trailblazer who has inspired generations of Canadians with her unparalleled talent, leadership, and dedication to the beautiful game," Canada soccer wrote in a statement. ​

Upon the news of her retirement, media, fans and fellow players flooded social media to pay their respects to a soccer "GOAT" who changed the game for the better.

"I cannot express how much I did not want to cry about football at work today. But here we are. Thank you Sinc, for being the GOAT, for being a true Portlander even if we borrowed you from our northern neighbor, for being a hero to so many. It’s been an honor watching you play. Thank you for everything and I am so excited to see what you do next," wrote one user on Instagram.

"So much more fun playing with you than against you. Thanks for everything Sincy," said another.

"Truly the best, thank you for changing the game for us all. We love you so much," one reply read, while another said, "Thank YOU for everything you have done for soccer. Legend!"

"Thank YOU for everything you have done for soccer. Legend!" Wrote another.

As one of the "founding" members of the Thorns, Sinclair is the only player to be with the club for its entire 12-year history, while holding a plethora of team records, including matches started (176) and games played (195). The Burnaby, B.C., native holds the record for most regular-season goals scored by a Thorns player with 64 goals, good for third-most in NWSL history.

Sinclair is arguably the most decorated women's player ever at the professional level, capturing eight titles with Portland — including three NWSL Championships (2013, 2017, 2022). Sinclair also won back-to-back WPS titles in 2010 and 2011 with FC Gold Pride and Western New York Flash, respectively, the USL W-League with Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

At the amateur and collegiate level, Sinclair secured two NCAA Championships with the University of Portland, after she won the Metro League and BC Cup with Vancouver UBC Alumni as a teenager.

Her career at the international level is even more impressive. A member of Canada Walk of Fame (2013) and an Officer in the Order of Canada (2017), Sinclair was the captain of four of Canada's most notable women's squads, including the 2010 CONCACAF champs, back-to-back Olympic Bronze medalists teams in 2012 and 2016, and the 2021 Olympic gold-medal winning side in 2021.

Sinclair also led Canada to a fourth-place finish at the 2003 FIFA World Cup, earned 10 CONCACAF medals during her international career and secured two Pan American Games medals. She's a 14-time Canada Soccer Player of the Year, and has been awarded The Best FIFA Special Award and the Canada Soccer President’s Award.

Most notably, Sinclair's 190 goals in international play ranks No. 1 all-time among all players, male and female.