CHRISTINE SINCLAIR
ICON CLASS OF FC27
Interview: Ketsia Nkumbu
Photos: Tagwa Moyo
An icon is a symbol, an emblem, a legacy that time could never touch. A game changer, a trailblazer, someone who transcends their sport and earns a place among the greatest ever to do it. When we think of Canadian greatness, many names come to mind. Some are up for debate, but this one never will be.
Three NWSL championships. Six FIFA Women’s World Cup appearances. Three Olympic medals, including gold in Tokyo. And 190 international goals—the most ever scored by any player. Her crown may be heavy, but Sinclair has always carried it with grace.
But her legacy goes beyond the numbers. She helped transform Canadian soccer, inspire generations, and shape a national team built on resilience, pride, and possibility. From Burnaby to the world stage, she took her hometown grit with her. Now, after hanging up her boots, Sinclair enters a new chapter as the newest member of the EAFC ICON Class, immortalized among the game’s greatest.
DARBY sat down with the G.O.A.T herself to reflect on a record-breaking career, the legacy she leaves behind, and what comes next.
DARBY: Christine, you’re officially an EA SPORTS FC ICON. What does it feel like to be part of such an elite class and to have a permanent place in the game’s history?
Sinclair: I mean, it really hasn’t sunk in yet, but it is obviously an incredible honor, and just to be recognized amongst some of the legends of the game, it’s pretty crazy.
Three NWSL championships. Six FIFA Women’s World Cup appearances. Three Olympic medals, including gold in Tokyo. And 190 international goals—the most ever scored by any player. Her crown may be heavy, but Sinclair has always carried it with grace.
But her legacy goes beyond the numbers. She helped transform Canadian soccer, inspire generations, and shape a national team built on resilience, pride, and possibility. From Burnaby to the world stage, she took her hometown grit with her. Now, after hanging up her boots, Sinclair enters a new chapter as the newest member of the EAFC ICON Class, immortalized among the game’s greatest.
DARBY sat down with the G.O.A.T herself to reflect on a record-breaking career, the legacy she leaves behind, and what comes next.
DARBY: Christine, you’re officially an EA SPORTS FC ICON. What does it feel like to be part of such an elite class and to have a permanent place in the game’s history?
Sinclair: I mean, it really hasn’t sunk in yet, but it is obviously an incredible honor, and just to be recognized amongst some of the legends of the game, it’s pretty crazy.
What was your reaction the first time you saw yourself in a video game?
It was a few years ago. I think it’s weird (laughs). I grew up playing video games, and I’m still yet to play as myself. Video games to me are like an escape from reality, you know what I mean? So that hits a little too close to home; I’ll let other people do it.
If your career had a FIFA/FC soundtrack, what song would be on it?
Oh my gosh, I’ve never really thought about it musically. Back then, my go-to pre-game was always Michael Jackson’s Man in the Mirror. Since college I had to listen to that before every game. It was like our team song, and it worked. We won the national championship that year.
You’ve transformed soccer culture in Canada. You’ve broken records, inspired generations, and paved the way for so many players. Looking back on your career, what’s the one thing you hope people remember most?
That I tried to do it the right way, and that I put in the work behind the scenes when no one was watching, and truly gave myself to the game and tried to do it like a good Canadian. Never shied away from bad results or, you know, what it takes to reach those levels, and then now that I’m done playing, I just continue to give back and continue to try and grow the game.
It was a few years ago. I think it’s weird (laughs). I grew up playing video games, and I’m still yet to play as myself. Video games to me are like an escape from reality, you know what I mean? So that hits a little too close to home; I’ll let other people do it.
If your career had a FIFA/FC soundtrack, what song would be on it?
Oh my gosh, I’ve never really thought about it musically. Back then, my go-to pre-game was always Michael Jackson’s Man in the Mirror. Since college I had to listen to that before every game. It was like our team song, and it worked. We won the national championship that year.
You’ve transformed soccer culture in Canada. You’ve broken records, inspired generations, and paved the way for so many players. Looking back on your career, what’s the one thing you hope people remember most?
That I tried to do it the right way, and that I put in the work behind the scenes when no one was watching, and truly gave myself to the game and tried to do it like a good Canadian. Never shied away from bad results or, you know, what it takes to reach those levels, and then now that I’m done playing, I just continue to give back and continue to try and grow the game.
“Now that I’m done playing, I just continue to give back and continue to grow the game.”
Now that your playing days are behind you, what’s something you’ll never have to do again that makes you very happy?
Honestly, put on the soccer boots. Like, I love them, but man, it’s nice not having to put those things on every day. I can put on just a pair of runners and go for a run or go to the gym. Not having to like wake up every single day when you’re exhausted, and you’ve just travelled—that’s so nice.
Next year is a Women’s World Cup year. We’ve seen record-breaking crowds and more eyes than ever on the women’s game. What are your hopes for the next generation, and for where the game goes from here?
Obviously, we just experienced the men’s World Cup here. And my hope is that all those, especially here in Canada, who became fans over the past few months have become soccer fans and will support the women’s team, just like they did the men’s team, and then support their local club teams, whether it’s in the MLS, the NWSL, or the NSL. I hope we’ve created fans, and then I hope that the women’s team gets the same amount of exposure and investment and attention that the men got this summer. That’s how we grow the game. It’s going to be a great World Cup. I hope Canada does well; they will do well. No pressure, guys.
You’ve been part of the women’s national team for so many years and played such a huge role in shaping its identity. When you look at the culture the team has built today, what does that legacy mean to you?
Not just me, I think there’s me but also a lot of veteran players who have also recently retired. It was a family, you know. Every single person in that room matters. It doesn’t matter if it’s your first cap or your 300th cap. You’re there for a reason. It’s respecting each other and leaving your ego at the door.
I think that culture has continued and will continue, and it just gets passed down. Now you’ve got the Jessies. Janine and Kadeisha are kind of running the show; it’s in good hands, and the next generation will take the reins whenever it happens.
It’s all about the culture you create.
Honestly, put on the soccer boots. Like, I love them, but man, it’s nice not having to put those things on every day. I can put on just a pair of runners and go for a run or go to the gym. Not having to like wake up every single day when you’re exhausted, and you’ve just travelled—that’s so nice.
Next year is a Women’s World Cup year. We’ve seen record-breaking crowds and more eyes than ever on the women’s game. What are your hopes for the next generation, and for where the game goes from here?
Obviously, we just experienced the men’s World Cup here. And my hope is that all those, especially here in Canada, who became fans over the past few months have become soccer fans and will support the women’s team, just like they did the men’s team, and then support their local club teams, whether it’s in the MLS, the NWSL, or the NSL. I hope we’ve created fans, and then I hope that the women’s team gets the same amount of exposure and investment and attention that the men got this summer. That’s how we grow the game. It’s going to be a great World Cup. I hope Canada does well; they will do well. No pressure, guys.
You’ve been part of the women’s national team for so many years and played such a huge role in shaping its identity. When you look at the culture the team has built today, what does that legacy mean to you?
Not just me, I think there’s me but also a lot of veteran players who have also recently retired. It was a family, you know. Every single person in that room matters. It doesn’t matter if it’s your first cap or your 300th cap. You’re there for a reason. It’s respecting each other and leaving your ego at the door.
I think that culture has continued and will continue, and it just gets passed down. Now you’ve got the Jessies. Janine and Kadeisha are kind of running the show; it’s in good hands, and the next generation will take the reins whenever it happens.
It’s all about the culture you create.
Looking at everything she’s accomplished, what do you think 16-year-old Christine Sinclair would say to the woman standing before her today?
Don’t stress. As a kid and growing up playing, I was a perfectionist and hated losing, and I think that helped me reach the levels I did, but at the same time, it probably wasn’t the healthiest. So just to, like, relax, everything will work out; those losses as a little kid don’t matter. Just enjoy the ride.
You’ve taken Burnaby to the world stage—does it ever hit you how far you’ve come?
I’m a firm believer that people need to see it to believe it. I knew what was possible, like a Joe Sakic coming from Burnaby. I knew it was possible; you don’t have to be from Toronto or just Vancouver to make it.
I hope what I’ve shown, not only to the kids from Burnaby but across this country, is that anything's possible. If you chase your dreams, yeah, anything’s possible. It takes a lot of work, dedication, and sacrifice, but boy, is it worth it.
Don’t stress. As a kid and growing up playing, I was a perfectionist and hated losing, and I think that helped me reach the levels I did, but at the same time, it probably wasn’t the healthiest. So just to, like, relax, everything will work out; those losses as a little kid don’t matter. Just enjoy the ride.
You’ve taken Burnaby to the world stage—does it ever hit you how far you’ve come?
I’m a firm believer that people need to see it to believe it. I knew what was possible, like a Joe Sakic coming from Burnaby. I knew it was possible; you don’t have to be from Toronto or just Vancouver to make it.
I hope what I’ve shown, not only to the kids from Burnaby but across this country, is that anything's possible. If you chase your dreams, yeah, anything’s possible. It takes a lot of work, dedication, and sacrifice, but boy, is it worth it.