Mary Earps ‘at peace’ with decision to retire from international football before England’s Euro 2025 triumph | OneFootball

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Mary Earps has reflected on her decision to retire from international football before England went on to defend their European Championship crown at Euro 2025.

The goalkeeper was a star of the side that helped England win the trophy for the first time in 2022.

She decided to play no part in their defence of the trophy, retiring shortly before Sarina Wiegman made her squad selection.

Hannah Hampton, who had already started to play ahead of Mary Earps, took on the No.1 role in Switzerland and helped the Lionesses win the trophy.

This led to the Chelsea goalkeeper placing 10th in the Ballon d’Or rankings and also winning the inaugural Yachine Trophy for the best women’s goalkeeper.

Former England No.1 Earps though, told Goal that she has no regrets over her decision to retire from international football.

Mary Earps reflects on ‘difficult decision’ to retire from England duty

Mary Earps, despite retiring from international football, travelled to Switzerland to support her former England teammates at Euro 2025.

In an interview with Goal, she revealed she did not know how she would feel until she got to Switzerland.

She said: “I hoped that I’d feel all right because it definitely wasn’t an easy decision to make. I think it was nice for me to go. I wanted to go and show up in person. That was really important to me.

“I was sitting with Tooney’s boyfriend, Joe, and we were just hanging out and it was just dead nice. I felt proud watching. I felt like this was how it was meant to be. I guess when you’re at peace with your decision. I think it was reaffirming in a way, that I knew I could go and there weren’t all these mad emotions.”

Earps said that the Lionesses’ Euro 2022 victory changed women’s football in the country, and that their success at Euro 2025 ‘cements’ that.

She concluded: “It improves the situation and the conditions for future generations to come through and that’s something I’m hugely passionate about. I really enjoyed watching them and watching my friends win. I feel immense pride.”

Earps’ England successor Hannah Hampton helped the Lionesses win Euro 2025

What’s next for Earps?

Earps plays her club football for Paris Saint-Germain who have had a mixed start to the campaign.

On Saturday, PSG were thrashed 6-1 by rivals Lyon in the French Division 1 Feminine, leaving them seventh in the standings with four points from three games.

PSG play Dijon this weekend before they begin their Champions League campaign against VfL Wolfsburg next week.

Earps also has a Champions League clash against her former team, Manchester United, to look forward to in November.

The clash will be played at Old Trafford in the first Champions League game to be played at the famous stadium.

Earps told Goal: “I never really got an opportunity to say goodbye, so I’m looking forward to it.”