Mary Earps won 53 senior England caps during an eight-year international career Few international retirements have shocked women's football in the way Mary Earps' decision did. Two years after winning back-to-back Fifa Best goalkeeper awards, and nine months on from ahigh-profile move to Paris St-Germain, nobody predicted that Earps would withdraw from duty five weeks before Euro 2025. England manager Sarina Wiegman admitted she was "disappointed", and had hoped Earps would play an "important role" this summer. So why has one of England's most loved footballers decided to retire now? What legacy will she leave? And what does the future look like without her? Earps' position at the top of the goalkeeping pecking order came under threat last year with the emergence of Chelsea's Hannah Hampton. Wiegmansaid in Aprilthat Hampton was "a bit ahead of Earps" after she had started her third match in a row, including a crucial 1-0 win over world champions Spain at Wembley in the Women's Nations League. The England manager had previously been reluctant to comment on the goalkeeping battle but that statement was a strong nod towards the summer. It's understood that Earps held discussions with Wiegman before she was scheduled to join the squad at St George's Park this week about her position for the Euros. She later told her team-mates her decision on Monday and did not train, before returning home and withdrawing from upcoming matches against Portugal and Spain. Earps will have known her chances of regaining the number one spot were slimming and she admitted in her statement that it was a "new era for England". Having experienced setbacks with England before - most notably when she was dropped by Phil Neville following a 2-1 defeat by Germany at Wembley in 2019, not returning to the international stage for two years - she will not have been keen to experience it again. Wiegman's shock and disappointment was clear. Earps has been a vital member of England's major tournament successes, acting as a leader. Her decision to step down five weeks before Euro 2025 has rocked the squad. Earps' impact on the growth of women's football and England's success has been enormous. As well as playing a key role inEngland's Euro 2022 victory, she was vice-captain as they reached the2023 World Cup final, saving a penalty in their defeat by Spain. More standout moments in theinaugural Women's Finalissimafollowed and she earned a high-profile move from Manchester United to Paris St-Germain last summer. She has also been showered with individual accolades, winning the Fifa Best goalkeeper award twice, as well as the Golden Glove for the best keeper at the 2023 World Cup. Her impact off the pitch has been as significant. She used her platform to speak out, discussing her personal mental health struggles while collecting her award at the Fifa Best event in 2023. But perhaps her most notable intervention came when she called out Nike for failing to sell England women's goalkeeper shirts before the World Cup, which led to a petition gathering more than 150,000 signatures andthe sportswear giant making a U-turn. At England games, fans would scream her name to sign autographs and take photos, while a mural outside Old Trafford was painted following Euro 2022. A plaque honouring Earps was installed in her home city, Nottingham, where she also has a tram named after her. She was also the first female footballer to have a waxwork figure made at Madame Tussauds, winning a public vote. Her status as a firm fan favourite was cemented when she won BBC's Sports Personality of the Year in 2023, showing her profile had transcended football. Earps herself said in February 2023 she wanted to make goalkeeping "cool" and there can be no dispute that she has done that. She went from being cast aside by Neville in 2019, to dancing on the press conference table with a Euro 2022 winners' medal around her neck and roaring in celebration as she made crucial penalty saves in 2023. Wiegman's disappointment at Earps' decision to pull out of Euro 2025 is understandable given there is little experience in the goalkeeping department. Hampton is a strong number one and has progressed this season, taking on the baton of Chelsea's first-choice goalkeeper and playing in a Women's Champions League semi-final. Six of Hampton's 13 England appearances have come in the past 15 months. There are no doubts the 24-year-old is ready. However, neither of the other two goalkeepers in England's current squad - Khiara Keating, 20, and Anna Moorhouse, 30 - have won a senior cap. Keating is still competing for Manchester City's number one spot, while Moorhouse has enjoyed success in the United States with Orlando Pride but is very much an unknown given her first England squad call-up came in July 2024. Barcelona's Ellie Roebuck, 25, is a previous England number one and started all four games for Team GB at the delayed Olympic Games in 2021. But she has found herself on the periphery under Wiegman and has not been in the squad afterrecovering from a strokelast year. Earps' international retirement leaves a significant gap in England's Euros squad. Finding someone to take that place will not be easy. Head here to get involved
She made keeping cool and fought off-field battles - so why is Earps retiring now?
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Mary Earps Announces International Retirement Ahead of Euro 2025"
Bbc News
7.1
TruthLens AI Summary
Mary Earps, a prominent figure in women's football and a two-time Fifa Best goalkeeper award winner, has unexpectedly announced her retirement from international duty just five weeks before Euro 2025. This decision has taken many by surprise, particularly given her recent high-profile transfer to Paris St-Germain and her significant contributions to England's national team, including key roles in their Euro 2022 victory and as vice-captain during the 2023 World Cup campaign. England manager Sarina Wiegman expressed her disappointment at Earps' decision, highlighting the goalkeeper's importance to the squad and the leadership she brought to major tournaments. Earps' retirement follows a challenging period in which her position as the first-choice goalkeeper came under scrutiny due to the emergence of younger talent, particularly Chelsea's Hannah Hampton. Despite discussions with Wiegman regarding her future role, Earps ultimately decided to step away from international football, acknowledging a shift in the team's dynamics and her desire to avoid repeating past setbacks in her career.
Earps leaves behind a legacy that extends beyond her impressive on-field performances. She has been an influential advocate for women's football, using her platform to address important issues such as mental health and gender equality in sports. Her activism notably included a successful campaign against Nike for not selling women's goalkeeper shirts, which garnered significant public support. Throughout her career, she has become a fan favorite, celebrated not only for her skills but also for her vibrant personality, as evidenced by the mural in her honor and her recognition as BBC's Sports Personality of the Year in 2023. With her departure, England faces a significant challenge in replacing her experience and leadership in goal, especially as the squad looks to the future without one of its most beloved players. The current goalkeeping options, including Hampton, Khiara Keating, and Anna Moorhouse, lack the international experience that Earps brought to the team, raising questions about the upcoming tournament and the team's ability to fill the void left by her retirement.
TruthLens AI Analysis
Mary Earps' retirement announcement comes as a significant surprise in the women's football community, especially given her recent accolades and career trajectory. This analysis will explore the implications of her decision, the potential motivations behind the reporting, and the broader context within which this news has emerged.
Impact on Women's Football Community
Earps has been recognized as one of the top goalkeepers in women's football, having won the FIFA Best goalkeeper award consecutively. Her sudden retirement raises questions about the current state of English women's football, particularly as it approaches a major tournament. The reaction from England's manager, Sarina Wiegman, who expressed disappointment, indicates that Earps’ presence was anticipated to be crucial for the upcoming Euro 2025. This conveys a sense of loss for the team and fans, likely stirring further interest and discussion within the community.
Legacy and Future Implications
The article hints at the legacy Earps leaves behind, especially as she navigated through challenges, including competition for her position with younger players like Hannah Hampton. Her retirement could signify a shift in the team dynamics and goalkeeping hierarchy, potentially impacting the performance and strategies England may adopt moving forward. The mention of Earps' previous setbacks underscores her resilience but also highlights the pressures athletes face in high-stakes environments.
Possible Hidden Agendas
There could be an underlying agenda in the reporting that aims to highlight the challenges faced by elite female athletes in maintaining their positions amid emerging talents. By focusing on Earps' retirement instead of broader issues, such as funding and support for women's sports, the narrative may divert attention from systemic problems within the sport.
Manipulative Aspects of the Reporting
The choice of language and emphasis on Earps' emotional journey might evoke sympathy from readers, potentially manipulating public sentiment. By portraying her decision as a personal battle, the article could be intended to create a more profound connection with the audience, thus steering the narrative towards themes of struggle and perseverance.
Comparative Context
When compared to other reports around women's sports retirements, this article stands out due to its focus on the emotional and personal aspects of Earps' decision rather than the broader implications for the sport. This approach might align with media trends favoring personal stories over analytical pieces, which could suggest a shift in how sports narratives are crafted.
Societal and Economic Implications
Earps' retirement may influence public interest in women's football, potentially affecting viewership and sponsorship opportunities. As a high-profile athlete, her departure could lead to shifts in market dynamics and fan engagement. This could, in turn, affect broader discussions on investment in women's sports, which are vital for the growth of the game.
Target Audience Relevance
The article likely resonates more with fans of women's football and those invested in sports narratives centered around personal challenges. It appeals to a community that values the representation of female athletes and their journeys, perhaps aiming to bolster support for women's sports.
Market Influence
While the article itself may not directly influence stock markets, it has the potential to impact companies involved in sports sponsorships or partnerships within women's football. Brands that support women's sports could see changes in their visibility and market strategies based on public reaction to high-profile retirements like Earps'.
Global Context and Current Events
Earps' retirement fits into a larger conversation about the evolution of women's sports and the challenges athletes face, particularly in the wake of increased scrutiny and competition. This news connects to ongoing discussions about gender equality in sports, making it relevant to current societal themes.
Use of AI in the Article
It's possible that AI was used in crafting parts of this article, particularly in structuring the narrative and analyzing data related to Earps' career. AI models could have guided the writing style, emphasizing emotional elements to engage readers. The language used may reflect an attempt to evoke a specific response from the audience, showcasing how technology can influence storytelling in journalism.
In conclusion, the article presents a mix of factual reporting and emotional narrative, which serves to engage readers while also raising questions about the future of women's football. The reliability of the article is moderate, as it presents a significant development in the sports arena but may also reflect biases related to emotional storytelling and public sentiment.