Mary Earps Retires from International Duty Ahead of Euro 2025

Mary Earps has officially retired from international duty just six weeks ahead of Euro 2025, marking the end of a significant chapter in her career after playing a pivotal role in the Lionesses’ Euro 2022 triumph and their journey to the 2023 World Cup final.

During her time with the national team, Earps has been a standout performer, but her recent autobiography, ‘All In’, has stirred controversy. In it, she criticized head coach Sarina Wiegman’s decision to reinstate Hannah Hampton to the squad, describing the selection process as ‘bullshit’. Despite this, Wiegman expressed hope that Earps will receive a warm farewell at Wembley, where a potential attendance of 75,000 is expected for the match against Spain.

Earps’ international retirement comes after a challenging season with Paris Saint-Germain, where she has conceded 18 goals against an expected goals on target (xGOT) of 13.20. This season, she has only played once for England since her autobiography’s release, returning to her former club Manchester United in the Women’s Champions League.

In her autobiography, Earps reflected on the backlash she faced, stating, “That was kind of my first rodeo with ‘cancel culture’, and 0 out of 10 – would not recommend to other people.” She also expressed regret over some of her comments and acknowledged the tough lessons learned during the fallout.

In addition to her playing career, Earps has been proactive off the pitch, launching KeepHers, a program that provides free goalkeeping sessions to young female footballers aged six to 18 in Manchester. Recently, 33 players attended a goalkeeping session on the Mary Earps Pitch, with an additional 20 participating in pick-up games nearby.

Earps, who was named the 2023 BBC Sports Personality of the Year, has made a lasting impact on women’s football. Wiegman remarked, “Everyone will have an opinion but let’s cherish the moment we had. Mary had a great career for us. She was the world’s best.” As her contract with PSG is set to expire this summer, the next steps in her career remain uncertain.

As fans and fellow players prepare to celebrate Earps’ contributions to the sport, the exact nature of the reception she will receive at Wembley remains unclear. Details remain unconfirmed, but the anticipation surrounding her farewell tribute is palpable.