Christine Sinclair, longtime captain and star of the Portland Thorns and the Canadian national team, announced her retirement on Friday. The 41-year-old forward will play until the end of the 2024 season, according to a statement of the Thorns.
Sinclair has played for Portland since 2013, when the NWSL was formed, and led the team to an NWSL championship in that inaugural season. He then won two more championships with Portland in 2017 and 2022, and two NWSL Shields (2016 and 2021). She has been Portland’s captain since the inaugural season.
Sinclair’s 64 goals are the most in Thorns franchise history and third all-time in the NWSL. This season marks his 25th professional season, after beginning his career in Canada in 1999.
Last year, Sinclair announced his retirement from international play after 23 years with the Canadian national team. During that time, the British Columbia forward led Canada to gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and racked up 190 total goals (the most all-time in women’s international soccer) and 331 caps. The latter puts her second only to USWNT legend Kristine Lilly in international appearances.
Sinclair played his last game for Canada on December 5, against 48,112 fans at BC Place.
Sinclair’s final regular season game for the Thorns will be Nov. 1, facing Angel City FC at home. Portland is currently in position to reach a playoff berth, which would extend the Canadian legend’s career a little further.
