Christine Sinclair, the all-time leading scorer for national teams that have achieved the same pay for soccer in Canada

I took a breath, took two steps and, from the penalty spot, shot on goal, confident that the ball would take care of it. So it was level and to the right of it. But the rebel was Nigerian goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nadozi, who saved the ball and stopped Christine Sinclair (Burnaby, Canada, 40) from expanding the scope of her story. More than anything because she would have become the first player to score goals in six World Cups, Now tied with Brazilian Marta —is also in Australia and New Zealand– and Cristiano Ronaldo. It seems, however, only a matter of time before that happens, perhaps in the next match against Ireland, as she is one of Canada’s consistent forwards. And her football and determination, now that she’s no longer the shy person she used to be but rather the country’s megaphone, supported her.

Sinclair emerged into the football community at the 2002 FIFA U-19 World Cup in Edmonton, where he was Golden Boot -10 goals and a replay against England – and player of the tournament. A year later, she played her first of her six World Cups with the senior team, scoring three times to achieve the bronze medal. It was only the start for the Portland Thorns striker from North America because her resume says she is an Olympic gold medalist, two bronze medalists, 14-time Canada’s Player of the Year, as well as being the country’s persona. In 2013, for example, she was included in Canada’s Walk of Fame and in 2017, Governor David Johnston appointed her an Officer of the Canadian Order.

Not only that, since 2016 Messi was on the cover of FIFA A year ago, she appeared with partner Kadisha Buchanan on a postage stamp to celebrate the 2015 World Cup. In January 2022, she was awarded the FIFA Special Best Award, as The historical top scorer with the national team, Since he counts 190 (also higher than 123 for Cristiano, the man with the most). For Canada, however, that’s it because it’s also the one that has played the most matches (325) and has handed out the most assists (58).

His ownership is not in doubt in the national team, although since the semifinals in the last Games he has not finished matches. He’s got plenty of football but he’s also, at 40 years old – three times more than his coach, Bev Priestman -, the second-oldest player in a World Cup after Nigeria’s Ibe Onomie, who has another month to go. A long way from Korean Casey Yujin Phair, who just turned 16 years old. Sinclair has defended the national jersey for Canada for 23 years. Always, with the number 12 on the back in honor of her childhood idol — she played baseball as a kid — Roberto Alomar, second baseman for the Toronto Blue Jays. But the family’s legacy was football, as his father and uncle were Canadian amateur soccer champions. And he dedicated himself body and soul, as he demonstrated in the 2011 World Cup, when he broke his nose in the first match and in response wore a face mask until they went down.

Although she was a child who could hardly utter a word, because she had always defined herself as shy, the years gave her ground and power. That’s why she was the team’s standard bearer last year in the fight for equal pay with the men’s national team, so much so that they announced they wouldn’t be participating in the SheBelieves Cup. But in the face of the threat of legal action by the federation, they backed down without losing sight of the agreement that ended up being reached, at least for this World Cup. In passing, he testified before a House of Commons committee, denouncing the association’s treatment of the team, and pointing out the insults of former association chairman Nick Pontes, who would later issue a public apology.

In the same way, Sinclair also raises the banner of the creation of a local professional league, which seems to see the light in 2025. He shortened “This is a disaster” to explain the association’s lack of progress. A gamer, captain, speaker and more, Sinclair has the time to be actively involved in raising money for research and treatment for multiple sclerosis, which was suffered by her mother, Sandra, who passed away last year. And he says that this World Cup is for her. Also for the sake of the story.