Christine Sinclair becomes world all-time leading soccer scorer

Jan 30, 2020 | News, Sports

Christine Sinclair celebrates second goal versus St kitts in first CONCACAF Women’s Olympic qualifying match. Via Daily Hive.

Kevaughn Wilson

Canada’s women’s soccer forward Christine Sinclair made history Wednesday after notching goals 184 and 185 to pass retired American Abby Wambach and become the world’s all-time leading scorer.

Sinclair’s record is 75 goals better than the highest men’s international soccer player, Iranian Ali Daei.

Now retired, Daei’s record stands at 109 goals.

36-year-old Sinclair said she would never have imagined to be in the running for the record.

“When I first started, Mia Hamm had the record and I was like, ‘Oh my God, that’s so many goals,'” Sinclair told TSN.

“How does someone reach that? Just kept ticking away and I’ve been very fortunate with injuries and the longevity of it.”

All eyes were on Sinclair going into the opening game of the 2020 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying tournament against St. Kitts and Nevis on Wednesday.

It took Sinclair just seven minutes to score her first of the game for Canada, tying retired U.S. striker Wambach for the record.

She then proceeded to score her second in the 23rd minute to put Canada up 4-0.

Canada finished the game dominating their opponents 11-0.

Breaking goal scoring records isn’t new to Sinclair.

She set a record by scoring six goals at the London Olympics in 2012 on the way to Canada’s bronze medal.

Christine Sinclair career accolades and statistics. Kevaughn Wilson.

Sinclair said her motivation comes from something more meaningful than records.

“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,” Sinclair said.

 “To now inspire young girls to pursue their crazy, wild dreams… it’s pretty cool.”

Sinclair has the opportunity to increase her record when the Canadians take on Jamaica in their second match on February 1st.