The international goal record in both men’s and women’s soccer was broken by Canadian player Christine Sinclair after she scored her 185th international goal. Sinclair scored a brace against St Kitts & Nevis for Canada’s 11-0 win in a 2020 Olympics qualifying tournament in Texas, USA.
Previous international goal record held by Abby Wambach
The 36-year old Sinclair broke the record that was held by USA’s Abby Wambach. In men’s international football, the all-time leading goalscorer is Ali Daei, who scored 109 goals for Iran between 1993-2006.
“Thank you to EVERYONE for all the messages…I’m slightly overwhelmed. Thank you to all my teammates, coaches, staff, friends and family.185 would not have been possible without you,” Sinclair wrote on twitter.
Here’s how Wambach responded to her record being surpassed, on twitter:
“Christine: History is made. Your victory is our victory. We celebrate with you. And to every girl coming up in the pack with a dream to achieve that which doesn’t yet even exist: We believe in you. Your Pack is with you. And history awaits you.”
Christine Sinclair, who is the captain of the team, has 290 caps for Canada, having made her debut in 2000. She was part of the team that reached the semi-finals of the 2003 Women’s World Cup. Sinclair also won bronze with Canada at the 2012 Olympics.