The name Mary Earps is iconic. Her sporty bravery even more. And so the decision to retire from international football at the age of 32 as a shock for many on Tuesday morning, five weeks from the start of the title defense of England.
“Mary has made a huge contribution to not only the team, but also the whole English football,” said Lionesses -Baas Sarina Wiegman in the official statement.
“It has been the greatest honor and privilege of my life,” wrote Earps.
The keeper, who left Manchester United for PSG last summer to “improve himself better”, has indeed had an in -depth and has had an effect on the women's game. Her impact has influenced who looks at the sport and who plays it, what Kits Nike stock in their stores and who is buying it. She has again defined forces.
The timing will therefore hit hard. Although this moment would undoubtedly come to the not too distant future, it now feels too early. Too sudden. EARPs and England still have unfinished things, right? Certainly, the sensation of a last major tournament, as competitive holders, is convincing enough?
But earps is proud. And that is written with the greatest respect. Her Lionesses trip has not been easy, which makes her heroism on Euro 2022 and the World Cup 2023 that is much more important. So much more memable.
Before her rise to no 1 earps was used to playing the second, even third, violin. She was actually the fourth choice keeper at Euro 2017 and was mentioned in the team for the World Cup in 2019, but never appeared. Around that time she could only play sporadically as injuries that prevented her. It became the ultimate game of patience, never really knowing whether the sacrifice would ever be worth it.
There were false dawn and almost moments, starting against Germany in November 2019 for 78,000 fans at Wembley, before they were forced to wait for her next limit for another two years. It was during that specific interruption that she was considering stopping completely.
Then Wiegman arrived and everything changed. EARPs started the first seven games of the Dutch woman and confirmed themselves firmly as England's No 1 on the way to Euro 2022, who played every minute while the Leeuwessen broke their trophy on home floor. There was a sense of connectedness and liberation for EARPs, as if all hardships and waiting had manifested this magical moment. The perfect justification.
She quickly deserved the nickname 'Mary Queen of Stops', she then had a big hand – pun – in the propagation of England to the World Cup final the following summer, winning the Golden Glove despite the fact that he admitted the title to Spain. Social media videos of her penalty to store to deny Jenni Hermoso were viewed and shared millions of times in the following days.
A career-definating moment for one of the best in England ever.
And so, an abrupt end, sadness will be tinted, not least for Wiegman, who pass on her “disappointment” in the announcement of Tuesday. “I hoped that Mary would play an important role within the team this summer,” she wrote.
The presence of Earps, a stabilizing but enigmatic character, undoubtedly makes England stronger. But the rise of Chelsea's Hannah Hampton, selected to start against Spain in the Nations League in February, had made clear Wiegman's position on her current No. 1.
The big debate that starts this summer in terms of selection, aimed at Hampton VS EARPs. The triple Shot stopper from Chelsea seemed to have the technical lead, but Earps has all the major tournament experience-the large stage allows her. Twenty -six clean sheets in 53 performances.
But to accept the role of representative again, would not have been easy for a player whose darkest days were spent in the shade. Deja-Vu's feeling was clearly overwhelming.
Earps has become a social phenomenon, a Bonefide celebrity, and will be one of the few players going down to really go beyond football. Winning two FIFA best prices, BBC Sports Personality of the Year and a MBE for services to Sport is a pretty considerable way to draw. The timing for fans may feel off, but EARPs makes it clear that she has “no regret”.
She wrote on her Instagram: “One of my biggest motivations was to leave the sweater in a better place than where I found it.” Beyond the abundant awards, her impact was genuine and her legacy should reflect every part of it.
So we have to thank you. For the euros. Save for that fine. Dancing for the antics and tap. For pronouncing and speaking and delivering change. To show the large companies that are the boss. For the again fashion of the keeper of making and inspiring the next generation. For Hampton and Khiara Keating and those who follow them.
And above all, because it was unapological Mary Alexandra earps.