The greatest ever. The goat.

Tributes were quick to pour in Friday after news broke that Canada captain Christine Sinclair is retiring from international football at the end of the year.

B次元官网网址淪imply put, she has single-handedly put Canadian soccer on the map,B次元官网网址� said former Canada teammate Rhian Wilkinson, who coached Sinclair at Portland. B次元官网网址淗er legacy is enormous and touches every aspect of sport in our country. She is an example of excellence both on (and off) the field, and we are so fortunate that she happens to be Canadian.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淰ery few players can lace up their boots and transcend a sport both in this country and globally,B次元官网网址� added Canada coach Bev Priestman. B次元官网网址淐hristine has done just that B次元官网网址� both as a player and a person who stands up for what she believes. She is known and admired by all Canadians and has been pivotal in every single country-stopping moment.B次元官网网址�

The 40-year-old from Burnaby, B.C., who plans to play one more season for the NWSL Portland Thorns next year, is expected to play four more games for Canada before stepping away from the international game.

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Canada hosts Brazil on Oct. 28 and 31 in Montreal and Halifax, respectively. Two more games are expected in the Nov. 27 to Dec. 5 FIFA international window although Canada Soccer has yet to confirm the specifics.

A source said the games will be against Australia with one in Vancouver. The other is expected in the same region.

B次元官网网址淭he moment when ChristineB次元官网网址檚 last kick or final whistle goes for this country, she can leave the field knowing she has changed this game forever, inspired an entire generation, and paved a better future for all through her work off the pitch,B次元官网网址� said Priestman. B次元官网网址淭hat is one tremendous legacy.B次元官网网址�

Sinclair, who has 190 goals in 327 international appearances, will leave the international game as its all-time leading scorer.

B次元官网网址淚 always knew she was a great footballer. But I know in the time we spent together she started to find her voice and brought other people with her in ways sheB次元官网网址檇 never done before,B次元官网网址� said Toronto FC coach John Herdman, who coached Sinclair and the Canadian women from 2011 to 2018 before switching to the menB次元官网网址檚 team.

B次元官网网址淲atching what she did on the football field but also watching what she did at the (parliamentary) Heritage Committee, I thought for me that was very un-Christine-like and a very brave moment to show the type of leader she has become,B次元官网网址� he added. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 just proud of her.B次元官网网址�

Sinclair has scored against 43 different opponents in 22 different countries, according to Canada Soccer.

Ten of those goals came at the FIFA World Cup, with 12 more at the Olympic Games and another 46 in CONCACAF competitions.

B次元官网网址淭o the worldB次元官网网址檚 greatest goalscorer, CanadaB次元官网网址檚 own Christine Sinclair: WeB次元官网网址檒l miss seeing you out on the pitch, but weB次元官网网址檒l always be proud of all that youB次元官网网址檝e accomplished B次元官网网址� and you should be proud of the legacy youB次元官网网址檝e built,B次元官网网址� Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on social media. B次元官网网址淵ou rock.B次元官网网址�

SinclairB次元官网网址檚 next game will be a milestone 50th on Canadian soil since June 2001 when she scored the equalizer in a 2-2 draw with the U.S. at TorontoB次元官网网址檚 Varsity Stadium. Sinclair won 28 caps before making her senior debut in Canada after matches in Australia, Germany, Morocco, Norway, Portugal, Sweden and the U.S.

B次元官网网址淐ongratulations to Christine on a stellar career that has been extraordinary and inspiring both on and off the field. While her days as an active womenB次元官网网址檚 national team player are coming to an end, her legacy will endure in the hearts and ambitions of so many young athletes across Canada and around the world.B次元官网网址� said Canada Soccer president Charmaine Crooks.

Hockey Hall of Famer Hayley Wickenheiser, herself considered among the greatest in her sport, paid tribute to SinclairB次元官网网址檚 leadership both on the field and in advocating for women athletes.

B次元官网网址淔ew athletes come along that truly elevate and change the game both on and off the field. Christine did that every single day B次元官网网址� and made everyone better around her,B次元官网网址� Wickenheiser, now an assistant general manager with the Toronto Maple Leafs, said in a statement. B次元官网网址淪he is a true leader. Time and time again, she was able to rise and perform on the greatest stages on the field and had the courage to stand up for what the women deserved off of it. Congrats on an awesome career!B次元官网网址�

The U.S. womenB次元官网网址檚 national soccer team, which Sinclair was always fired up to compete against, paid tribute to CanadaB次元官网网址檚 captain on social media.

B次元官网网址淪alute to an absolute legend of our game,B次元官网网址� the U.S. team posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, with the hashtag B次元官网网址淭hankYouSincB次元官网网址�

However, given the heated rivalry between the North American squads, Sinclair had blocked the teamB次元官网网址檚 account.

B次元官网网址淗ope she unblocks us to see this,B次元官网网址� the Americans added, with a B次元官网网址渇ingers crossedB次元官网网址� emoji.

The Canadian Press