By OkayGoal 
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – DECEMBER 04: Mary Earps of England reacts during a training session at Hampden Park on December 04, 2023 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images)
Mary Earps’ retirement from international football was marked on Tuesday night at Wembley ahead of England’s FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier against Spain.
FA chair Debbie Hewitt led a special presentation to pay tribute to what a media statement described as an “outstanding England career and her contribution to English football” – and the Paris Saint Germain goalkeeper was met with cheers from the crowd.
Earps was greeted at pitchside by the injured Leah Williamson, who gave her former teammate a big hug.
Earps won 53 caps for her country, and was a crucial part in the Lionesses’ 2022 Euros win as well as the run to the 2023 Women’s World Cup final.
However, she retired from international football ahead of last summer’s Euros, with Hannah Hampton by then secure as Sarina Wiegman‘s first-choice goalkeeper.
Sarina Wiegman: Mary Earps is an inspiration
Earps released an autobiography, All In, last year that contained some criticism of Wiegman’s decision to select Hampton.
But the goalkeeper and her former manager are now understood to have built some bridges – and ahead of Tuesday night’s game, Wiegman said that she hoped fans would give Earps a good reception.
“Let’s cherish the moments we had together,” Wiegman said. “Mary had a great career and for us was the world’s best. She played important games and now she has moved on. Let’s all celebrate her.”
She added: “She is an inspiration for so many people, particularly young goalkeepers.
“She deserves a great farewell. I hope we celebrate her and it will be a nice moment.”
In the matchday programme for the evening’s fixture, Earps is quoted as agreeing, saying: “I had this whole mantra that I’ve been trying – and still am trying – to make goalkeeping cool. I feel like it’s opened doors for future goalkeepers.
“For me, that’s the proudest thing.”
