Generations of girls say goodbye, and thank you, to soccer legend Christine Sinclair

Janice Ruelle starts to cry as she stands with her teenage daughter on a dark December night surrounded by dozens of young female athletes who have come to see their hero in action for the last time.

The crowd was waiting to watch soccer sensation Christine Sinclair play her penultimate game Friday in Langford, B.C. The world's all-time leading goal scorer in all of international soccer is in the final leg of her farewell tour and will play her last game with Team Canada Tuesday night in Vancouver.

And if Friday's crowd was any indication, even as Sinclair steps off the pitch, her legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of female athletes inspired not only by her tremendous skill, but for championing women in the world of sport.

"She is just such an inspiration to all the girls who can see where they can go and who they can become," said Ruelle, swiping at tears. 

"She is just on and off the field amazing."

WATCH | Fans gather in Vancouver for Sinclair's final game with Team Canada

Ruelle's soccer-playing daughter Alexis,15, said she wishes her mom could have had a role model like Sinclair growing up and is grateful to have had such a humble and impressive player help pave the way for her generation.

"I think she's changing women's sports and women's soccer for the good," said the teen.

Sinclair, 40, joined the senior national team in 2000 at age 16 and scored three goals in her first tournament. Sinclair's world-record total now stands at 190 goals after 23 years on the Canadian team.

"All the players on the national team, we were once that young kid that had aspirations and dreams of playing professionally and representing Canada, World Cups and Olympics. And there's no secret it's a lot of work, but man, it's