England captain Leah Williamson expressed support for Mary Earps after goalkeeper retired.
Earps, who recently joined Paris Saint-Germain, confirmed that she will no longer play in England more than a month before the start of the 2025 European euro.
The timing of the announcement drew some criticism, but when asked whether she saw Ups’ decision as selfish, Williamson defended his friend’s choice.
“I think making this decision must be one of the hardest things in your career,” Williamson said.
“She is human first, I hope Mary is OK, and that’s the best decision for her. We’ll miss her.”
Williamson, who has just raised the Women’s Champions League trophy with Arsenal last Saturday, also shared her proximity on the court and on the court.
She added: “I talked to Mary and she was one of my closest friends in football – so I was frustrated just because I love her and I like being her teammate.”
“I think the way she wears an English shirt is a role model for all of us, so I’m sad because these memories aren’t going to continue wearing English shirts.
England head coach Sarina Wiegman “want Mary Earps” this summer after the goalkeeper announced her international retirement earlier this week. pic.twitter.com/c2rv0slslsak
– Sky Sports WSL (@skysportswsl) May 29, 2025
“But for her, she thinks it’s the best thing and I will always support her.”
Head coach Sarina Wiegman also addressed Earps’s leeway, admitting she was “really disappointed and sad” by the decision.
She added: “It must have been a very difficult decision for her, so it was a difficult decision for us.
“Of course, I have a few conversations that I don’t want to share here because that’s between us. It’s hard, I find it hard, and at the same time she’s hard.
“She has done a great job for England. She has made a huge difference and so far our journey has been incredible. I really cherish it.
“It’s exciting because we have a relationship too, and our journey and many climaxes have a lot of climaxes and of course some lows.
“That’s why it’s really difficult. But we have to keep going, and now we don’t have time to celebrate because we’re going into the euro.”
Earps ended her eight-year 53 games in her English career.
She is part of the team that canceled the 2022 Euro Trophy and the 2023 Women’s Finals, and she also helped England reach the World Cup final last year.
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