Christine Sinclair had planned to leave soccer discreetly, “without saying a word”, in her image. It was her family and friends who convinced her not to “just leave” like that. “You owe it to yourself, you owe it to Canada, to come back and play these games [à la maison] ”, they told him.
The international legend will play the first of his last four matches in the Canadian uniform on Saturday at Saputo Stadium. She met the media within the walls of the Nutrilait Center on Thursday, for the first time since the big announcement of her retirement.
Here we are, facing the end of an era.
It’s well known: Sinclair is not fond of attention. The idea of being given a standing ovation in her last four matches like American Megan Rapinoe has been – and we can expect that to be the case – is “her worst nightmare”, she said. fall while letting out a little laugh.
“I experience mixed emotions. […] However, I realize that these will be special evenings. Playing four games across Canada is a great opportunity for me to say thank you to the fans who have supported me throughout my career. »
PHOTO BERNARD BRAULT, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Christine Sinclair joins her teammates after Jessie Fleming’s shootout winning goal gave Canada the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
“Players have asked me what it’s like to come and play without stress,” she added a little later. In a way, I’m not trying to find my place on a team. It’s liberating to go back to my roots and play for the pleasure of playing, enjoying the time with my teammates. »
Their final duel will take place in Vancouver, against the Australian team, on December 5. “I don’t know what will be planned, I just told people that I didn’t want to be taken by surprise,” she mentioned with a smile, true to herself.
Sinclair isn’t done with soccer; she will play one final season with her NWSL club, the Portland Thorns. In fact, even after this final season, will it really be finished?
“Obviously, I’m going to stay involved in this game,” said the main interested party. It’s been part of my life since I was 4 years old. I plan to play Portland another year, then we’ll see. But whether as a coach, or behind the scenes, I don’t quit [le soccer]. »
A whole thought process
After the Tokyo Olympics, Christine Sinclair knew that she did not want to go to the next ones, those of Paris 2024. “There is no better way to leave [qu’en gagnant l’or] ”, she notes. International retirement would therefore arrive in the following years.
Then Sinclair decided to try his luck one last time in the World Cup. “I felt this team had a unique opportunity to show the world that Tokyo was no fluke. »
The team, however, did not enjoy the success they had hoped for; Canada was eliminated quickly. The retirement plan was therefore postponed.
PHOTO HUGO-SÉBASTIEN AUBERT, THE PRESS
Christine Sinclair
With the way the World Cup went, I didn’t want it to be the end. I wanted to talk to them, be part of the group and help them qualify [pour les Jeux de Paris] First of all. For the team, but for me, it was important.
Christine Sinclair
This was done on September 26, after the victory against Jamaica.
“I thought that was going to be it and that I was going to walk away without saying a word and be done with it,” she said. But after that, there were rumors of four games being played in Canada. My friends and family told me, “You can’t just leave, you owe it to yourself, you owe it to Canada, to come back and play these games. »
Beyond soccer
It would take a long time to list all of Christine Sinclair’s exploits on the international scene. Basically, the most prolific striker in history has fully deserved her rest.
What is she most proud of? he was asked.
The 40-year-old athlete thought about it.
“I’m proud to have played for so long and to have evolved with the game,” she replied before speaking with emotion about the connections she has made over the years. “Strangely, all the vets [vétéranes], we got the same tattoo. Who do this ? “, she said, laughing.
PHOTO RYAN REMIORZ, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Chrisitne Sinclair and her teammates from the Canadian soccer team training at the Nutrilait Center on Thursday
This tattoo, a small “V” for “Vets” on one finger, was done during the team’s last visit to Montreal. Above all, this tattoo gives an idea of the importance that her teammates, who have become friends, now have in her life.
“Friendships go far beyond soccer. And I know not many national teams can say that. That’s what I’m most proud of. »
A small oversight
A funny situation arose on social networks on October 20, the day Christine Sinclair announced her retirement. The American national team published some photos of Sinclair on its X account; “Hail to an absolute legend of our game,” it read. A few hours later, the American team realized that Sinclair had blocked them on the social network. “Hoping she unblocks us to see this,” the team joked.
When a reporter broached the subject with her Thursday morning, Sinclair let out a chuckle as she ran her hand over her face. “Yeah, I blocked them. I think it was in Tokyo, just before we played them. […] I blocked them and forgot I did it. I haven’t been back on Twitter, or X, whatever it’s called, since the World Cup. I didn’t see what they wrote except when my teammates showed it to me. Obviously, they are great rivals, but I thank them for the kind words towards me. »