England Lionesses captain Leah Williamson ‘devastated’ by Mary Earps retirement

England captain Leah Williamson has expressed solidarity with Millie Bright’s decision to withdraw from the England squad whilst also saying she is “devastated” by Mary Earps’ retirement.

This week, the Lionesses were rocked by news that Millie Bright has withdrawn from the team for an “extended period of recovery” whilst goalkeeper Mary Earps shockingly announced her retirement from the game – just 36 days before the 2025 Euros. 

Bright, 31, who captained the squad during the team’s 2022 Euros victory and 2023 World Cup outing, said the decision to step back from Sarina Wiegman’s side because she is “mentally and physically” at her “limits”.

“That is a really hard decision but I think you know better than anyone as well – sometimes you just have to take that time for yourself, Bright explained on her Daly Brightness podcast, which she hosts with retired teammate Rachel Daly.

“You need to value yourself and your mental health and body, and just say that no, right now is not the time for you.”

Following Bright’s withdrawal, Arsenal player Lotte Wubben-Moy has been drafted in to replace her in the squads League A Group 3 games against Portugal and Spain, which will take place on Friday (30 May) and Tuesday (3 June) respectively.

Bright’s withdrawal came after Mary Earps’s shock announcement on Tuesday (27 May) that she had retired from the international game.

“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,” Earps said in a statement released by the Football Association and shared on her official Instagram. 

“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.”

In response to the shock news from two England players, captain Williamson said during a press conference that she believes “for anybody to speak out about mental health is a brave thing to do”, in regards to Bright.

“It encourages other people to do the same, so she’s leading by example there,” Williamson went on to say, adding she has given her teammate a “bit of space”.

“But, naturally, any support that she needs, and anything that she needs from the team, we will be there to give it to her.”

Addressing criticism that Earps’s decision comes too close to the Euros, Williamson said to “arrive at that decision must be one of the hardest things in your career”.

“I spoke to Mary, she’s one of my closest friends in football – so I’m devastated, just because I love her, I love being her teammate,” Williamson said.

“I think the way that she wears the England shirt is an example to us all so I’m very sad that those memories are not going to continue in an England shirt.

“But for her, she thinks this is the best thing, and I’ll support her in that always.”

The UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 tournament will be played in Switzerland from 2 to 27 July 2025.