Longtime England goalkeeper Mary Earps announced her retirement from international play on Tuesday, immediately ending her run just five weeks before the Lionesses begin their 2022 Euro title defense.
“My journey has never been the simplest, so in true Mary fashion, this isn’t a simple goodbye — right before a major tournament,” Earps said in a retirement post on Instagram. “Nonetheless, I know this is the right decision.”
Despite the seemingly snap choice, Earps later clarified that she “spent a long time making this decision and it’s not one I’ve made lightly. For me, ultimately this is the right time for me to step aside and give the younger generation an opportunity to thrive.”
Earps led England to their first-ever European Championship plus the 2023 World Cup final in her 53 international caps.
However, Lioness manager Sarina Wiegman told media earlier this year that the 32-year-old Earps would likely take a backseat to Chelsea keeper Hannah Hampton at July’s 2025 Euro.
“I had hoped that Mary would play an important role within the squad this summer, so of course I am disappointed,” Wiegman said after Earps’s retirement news broke.
