"Former Lionesses goalkeeper Carly Telford expresses profound impact of Mary Earps on the game, lamenting her absence this summer as a significant setback for England's team."
Breaking News: Mary Earps Steps Down from International Football Amidst Euro 2025 Hype
The football realm has been hit by a bolt of surprise as Mary Earps, a Lionesses legend and a key figure in England's triumphs like Euro 2022 and the 2023 World Cup final, has chosen to withdraw from the international scene, mere weeks before the Women's Euros of 2025.
Having won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award and been acclaimed as the FIFA Best Women's Goalkeeper of 2022, Earps' decision has sent shockwaves across the sport.
Former teammate and goalkeeping counterpart, Carly Telford, shares some insight about Earps' choice: "I reckon everyone's left stunned. It takes a significant amount of thought for a decision like this. I myself, when I decided to hang up my boots, didn't make that decision in a single moment. It's a decision that takes time, discussions, and careful contemplation."
Over the years, Earps has been more than just a goalkeeper for England. To many, she's been a leader, an inspiration, and a symbol of women's football's evolving prominence. Her standout performances, particularly during England's 2022 European Championship victory and the title run in 2023, have become emblematic of a golden era for the Lionesses.
According to Telford, "It's likely Earps took her time to arrive at her choice. Now, she believes it's the right time for her to step back. Granted, we'd have loved to see her partake in this summer's Euros and carry her influence within the group. But at the same time, Earps is an individual with her own decisions to make. Perhaps she felt that it was best to make this move now, enable a new goalkeeper to settle in ahead of the tournament, and allow the squad to acclimate to her absence, given the years she's been with us."
Earps made a total of 53 appearances for the Lionesses and holds the FIFA Best Women's Goalkeeper title of 2022. However, her impact extends far beyond the field.
In 2023, she raised her voice against Nike's decision to not sell the women's goalkeeper kit on their website, a decision they had made for the men's team previously. The US sports brand eventually revised their stance.
"I hope her legacy doesn't get forgotten or questioned because of the suddenness of her announcement," Telford remarked. "But yes, I believe what Mary has done for the game is truly significant. I feel fortunate to have shared pitch space and a locker room with her, and I am certain she'll continue to shine. She's simply that kind of person. However, let's not forget, she's a huge loss to the squad. Yet, there's a multitude of talented players eager to further her legacy."
As an ambassador for Sure UK's Breaking Limits campaign, which empowers young people to conquer gender, racial, and ability barriers, Telford has been focusing on enhancing opportunities and attitudes towards young women in sports.
"Approximately 50 percent of girls lack female role models," she explains, "which is astounding when you consider the effect the Lionesses have had. Around 67 percent of these young girls feel they face obstacles when it comes to sports, whether it's related to equipment, anxiety, or other factors. Having such data helps us understand and address these issues better. It's crucial we create programs to combat these barriers."
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The unexpected decision of Mary Earps to withdraw from international football, particularly football, has ignited a fervor across the sport. As the reigning FIFA Best Women's Goalkeeper of 2022, Earps' announcement has sent shockwaves through the sporting community, causing a stir in the otherwise steady progression of women's football.
