Arsenal centre-back and England captain Leah Williamson has shared her support for Mary Earps following the goalkeeper’s decision to retire from international football just five weeks before the start of Euro 2025.
The timing of the announcement has sparked debate, but Williamson made it clear that she stands behind her team-mate. As per BBCSport, when asked whether Earps’ decision could be seen as selfish, she said: “I think to arrive at that decision must be one of the hardest things in your career.
“She is a human first and I hope Mary is OK and it’s the best decision for her. We will miss her.”
A personal loss for a close friend
Williamson, who recently helped Arsenal win the UEFA Women’s Champions League, added: “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 team-mate.
“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.”
Earps’ legacy and Wiegman’s reaction
Earps, who joined Paris Saint-Germain earlier this year, from Manchester United, retires with 53 England caps. Her honours include winning the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022, the 2023 Women’s Finalissima, and helping England reach the 2023 World Cup final. The 32-year-old also won back-to-back FIFA Best Goalkeeper awards but had recently lost her England starting place to Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton.
England manager Sarina Wiegman admitted she was “really disappointed and sad” about the decision, saying she “wanted her in my team”. Wiegman declined to share details of her private discussions with Earps but confirmed to BBC Radio 5 Live that the news came as a “shock” to the squad.
Do you think Earps departure will affect the Lionesses performance at Euro 2025?
Michelle M
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For the life of me, I can’t see what’s “devastating” about a player retiring from international football, however petulent her reasons. Grow up Leah, I expected better from you.
Jax,
Regarding the Earps retirement, I personally think there’s a bit of ego involved. Although it’s her decision to retire, it surprises me that at 32 second choice or not she could still have had one more euro’s in her. Considering she’s meant to be a team player, she’s left her country in the lurch, as the two other keepers haven’t got any international football between them. I also think that Earps is getting her own back there to, it seems to me that the first time her place is challenged she decides to retire, at 32. That’s no age for a goalkeeper is it.
England already felt missing Earps yesterday though playing Spain away in a decisive table topping match is hard to win even in the presence of Earps. No visible fault of the current goalie for the defeat tbh. A soldier comes a soldier goes so get on with it the no. 6.