I think a lot of people thought women's soccer had arrived and

The words of Christine Sinclair — “I think a lot of people thought women’s soccer had arrived and it was here to stay and it was going to be huge, but that wasn’t realistic. It has progressed slowly.” — are spoken with the honesty of one who has labored in the long, patient struggle for recognition. She reminds us that the triumph of women’s soccer was not a single moment of glory, but a journey of persistence, where progress is measured not in leaps, but in steady, grinding steps forward. Her words pierce the illusion that one victory is enough to secure lasting change.

The meaning of her words lies in the truth that transformation does not come easily, especially in realms long dominated by men. A World Cup or a single burst of attention cannot by itself guarantee permanence. Progress for women in sport, as in society, comes slowly — earned through decades of training, sacrifice, and the refusal to vanish when the spotlight fades. Sinclair acknowledges the disappointment of those who expected instant permanence, while honoring the deeper truth: endurance is the true path to greatness.

History bears witness to this reality. When women’s suffrage was first won in some nations, many believed the struggle was complete. Yet decades of additional labor were required to secure broader equality — in work, in education, in leadership. Similarly, when the U.S. Women’s National Team triumphed in the 1999 World Cup before tens of thousands of roaring fans, many believed the sport had “arrived.” Yet the professional leagues that followed struggled, collapsed, and were reborn only through persistent devotion. Progress, as Sinclair tells us, is rarely swift; it is built stone by stone.

The origin of Sinclair’s wisdom lies in her own career, spent carrying Canada’s banner through victories and defeats, often against the backdrop of limited funding, sparse coverage, and slow-moving institutions. She has lived the truth that change comes not in explosions, but in embers that must be kept alive, nurtured, and protected until they grow into enduring fire. Her voice is not one of despair but of realism, and behind it, the iron will of perseverance.

Therefore, O seekers of wisdom, learn from Sinclair: do not mistake a single triumph for the end of the battle. Whether in sport, in justice, or in freedom itself, victories may come swiftly, but permanence is won only by slow progress, by the faith to continue when the world’s eyes have turned away. Women’s soccer, like all great movements, is not a tale of sudden glory, but of enduring strength — and those who hold the line through years of patience will, in time, see the dream fulfilled.