Legendary England goalkeeper Mary Earps retires ahead of 2025 Euros in shock announcement
Golden Glove winner Mary Earps retires. (Steve Christo/Getty)
Golden Glove winner Mary Earps retires. (Steve Christo/Getty)
In a shock announcement, professional English footballer Mary Earps has retired, with immediate effect, ahead of the 2025 European Championship in Switzerland.
The 32-year-old goalkeeper’s retirement from international football comes just 36 days before the Euros.
Mary Earps’ announcement today (27 May) follows the Lionesses’ arrival at St George’s Park yesterday, ahead of their Nations League games against Portugal and Spain, on Friday and Tuesday, respectively.
Earps was part of the Lionesses’ winning Euro 2022 squad – and helped England reach the World Cup final against Spain the following year.
“I have taken the difficult decision to retire internationally,” Earps said in a statement released by the Football Association and on Mary Earps’ Instagram.
“It has been the greatest honour and privilege of my life, to wear this badge, represent my country and play alongside such an incredible group of players.
“I’ve 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.
“Winning the Euros in 2022 was the best day of my life, and I’m rooting for the girls to do it again this summer.”
Mary Earps added: “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 for me 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.”
In response to Earps’ decision to step back from the England team, the England manager, Sarina Wiegman, shared she was “disappointed” by the news and said she “had hoped that Mary would play an important role within the squad this summer.”
Wiegman added: “Mary has made a huge contribution to not only the team, but the whole of English football.
“We will cherish those memories and of course give Mary the tributes she deserves after the summer but for now the focus needs to be on the upcoming UEFA Women’s Nations League fixtures and the Euros.”
After playing for over eight years for the England team, Earps has 53 caps and was named the Best FIFA women’s goalkeeper in 2022 and 2023.
“Mary has made a huge contribution”
Earps’ acclaim has not been without hurdles, though she was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year, having won the Golden Glove for the best goalkeeper at the 2023 World Cup, and BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year, she received backlash in a wave of misogynistic abuse.
Additionally, fans expressed outrage after Nike, England’s shirt supplier, did not sell Mary Earps’ kit, despite making home and away kits for every other Lioness player available.
After Nike issued an apology for the decision, claiming it will “work towards a solution” for future tournaments. In response, Earps wrote: “Nike, is this your version of an apology/taking accountability/a powerful statement of intent?”
Alcopop! Records challenged Nike to release an Earps goalkeeper kit and told PinkNews they would make their own kit for fans.
Although she is retiring from international football, Mary Earps will still play club football, after joining Paris Saint-Germain from Manchester United last year.
The UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 tournament will be played in Switzerland from 2 to 27 July 2025.
