Today, it was announced that Mary Earps will immediately retire from international duty. It was announced on social media this morning.
Other changes to the squad include Millie Bright's withdrawal for extended recovery after a heavy, long, and successful season at Chelsea. Lotte Wubben-Moy will come in to replace her. The Arsenal players arrived this afternoon after their Emirates Celebration with the fans on Monday.
This comes after the constant questions towards Serina Wiegman about who will be the number one for the Euros this summer.
Last International break she did not start for England after previous breaks she had one game and Hannah Hampton had one game over the period.
Earps made 53 senior appearances over eight years for England, also winning the 2023 Women’s Finalissima with her country in a penalty shoot out.
Earps was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2023 having won the Golden Glove for the best goalkeeper at the 2023 World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand.
She also won the Best Fifa Goalkeeper award in 2022 and 2023.
In the post on instagram she said: “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 anyone who knows me knows tha 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 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 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 1 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 forever.
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.
A few lioness has to comment on the goalkeepers retirement
Millie Bright said: “Love you bro.”
Beth Mead said: “Absolute legend. It's been a privilege
Alex Greenwood said : “Been a Privilege, from u15s to European Champions together Legend.”
Finally Aggie Beever Jones put it simply as “Legend Mary.”
The main story still lies about the future with the likes of Khiara Keating and Anna Moorhouse being unexperience and yet to play for England senior squad, will Ellie Roebuck make a return, or is the wait of the nation on Hannah Hamptons gloves now.
Add comment
Comments