Mary Earps stormed out on the England squad and is set to announce her retirement. (Image: Getty.)
Mary Earps' iconic England career has come to a sour end. The 32-year-old announced her international retirement after losing her spot as number one. The goalkeeper won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award in 2023 for her heroics at the World Cup and had been a mainstay in Sarina Wiegman's side.
The Telegraph claim that the decision has angered Lionesses boss Wiegman due to the timing, with team-mates told in an awkward meeting just five weeks before Euro 2025. England are looking to defend their title in Switzerland this summer but will be without Earps, who had been usurped by Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton.
In April, Hampton started back-to-back matches against Belgium and Wiegman explained: “I have two world-class goalkeepers. At the moment, [Hannah] is a little bit ahead.”
However, an irked Wiegman will now be without one of her elite goalkeepers as the Paris Saint-Germain stopper took to Instagram to confirm the surprise news. She wrote: "I have taken the difficult decision to retire internationally. It has been the greatest honour and privilege of my life, to wear this badge and represent my country."
Mary Earps during the World Cup final in 2023. (Image: Getty)
England boss Wiegman explained that she has been left "disappointed" with Earps' decision in a statement. “I had hoped that Mary would play an important role within the squad this summer, so of course I am disappointed,” said Wiegman.
“Mary has been clear on her reasons why she has made the decision and it is something we need to accept. Mary has made a huge contribution to not only the team, but the whole of English football."
Earps claimed that "there are so many dimensions to this decision" and did not directly discuss the unceremonious end to her decorated international career. Instead, she penned a heartfelt letter to England fans, her team-mates, and team staff.
Earps' statement in full
"I have taken the difficult decision to retire internationally. It has been the greatest honour and privilege of my life, to wear this badge and represent my country.
"I'm a proper sop when it comes to England, anyone who knows me knows that playing at the top of the game is what drives me, and it doesn't get bigger than the international stage. I wish I could do it forever - but sadly, all good things must come to an end.
"My journey has never been the simplest, and so in true Mary fashion, this isn't a simple goodbye - right before a major tournament. Nonetheless, I know this is the right decision. There are so many dimensions to this decision, the details of which aren't important right now, but what it boils down to is: it's now the right moment to step aside.
"This is a new era and a new England team, and I'm looking forward to watching them this summer. In the end, all you have is all you are - your character. And I know that whilst this won't make sense to some who are reading this, you can trust that I would not be doing this unless I thought it was absolutely the right thing to do, as much as it hurts.
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"In truth, life without international football scares me a little, that said I'm so excited to turn my full focus to my club football. There's so much to still look forward to, and I have so much energy to continue to strive for greatness, to continue to learn and push myself to maximise every last ounce of potential I have.
"'Never rush something that you want to last forever'. And I didn't. I can hand on heart say I soaked up every minute I pulled on the England jersey. I have given everything, my heart and soul; I left it all out there on the pitch, and did my best to help create systemic change off it.
"I have no regrets. One of my biggest motivations has been to leave the jersey in a better place than where I found it; I hope you all feel I have done that. Winning the Euros in 2022, World Cup finalists in 2023, best goalkeeper of the tournament in both, goalkeeper shirts selling worldwide and all the madness that came after - I couldn't have written it.
"To the players, playing alongside you has been the greatest privilege of my life. Together with the staff, we have done things that I could have only dreamed of. I'm so proud of everything we have achieved and I will cherish our memories together.
"To the most devoted and incredible England fans, I could never have imagined how much love and support I'd feel from you all - you have helped me achieve my wildest dreams and given me energy when I thought I was down and out. Thank you doesn't feel like enough, but sincerely and deeply, I'm eternally grateful.
"As time goes on, I know I'll become a distant memory - that's football, that's life, the show goes on - but I will never forget you. I will never forget the bond and connection I feel with you all. I hope to see you around, wherever that may be. Lioness 198 over and out."
