Lionesses ‘sad and disappointed’ at Mary Earps’ shock retirement call as Sarina Wiegman & Leah Williamson react to iconic goalkeeper walking away on 53 caps

Euros champion and two-time FIFA Best Women’s Goalkeeper Earps has announced that she will no longer be available for selection with the Lionesses. The 32-year-old is walking away after earning 53 caps for her country.

Few saw that decision coming, despite Hannah Hampton providing fierce competition for the No.1 berth, and Wiegman concedes that she is still coming to terms with the fact that an elite performer is no longer part of her plans.

Wiegman told reporters of Earps’ big decision: “I am really disappointed and sad that she is not part of the team because I want her in my team. That must have been a really hard decision for her and so it is for us. There have been a couple of conversations which I don't want to share here because they are between us. It's hard and it's hard for her at the same time.

“I want her in my team. She has done such a great job for England. She has made a massive difference and we have had an incredible journey so far and I really cherish that. That is also where the disappointment comes from.”

Wiegman added when asked if disappointment blends into annoyance, with a European Championship title defence fast approaching: “Of course, it's hard. But I want to keep to disappointment. It's emotional because you also have relationships and we have had such a massive journey together with lots of highs and some lows too and that's what makes it really hard. We have to move on too. We have a game tomorrow. We are going into the Euros and after that we can think about those things.”

England captain Williamson has shared many happy memories with Earps as an international team-mate and said of seeing a big character leave the Lionesses camp: “I spoke to Mary. She is one of my closest friends in football in terms of what we have been through together and the journey we have been on. I'm devastated because I love her and love being her team-mate.

“The way that she ways an England shirt is an example to us all. I am very sad that those memories won't continue in an England shirt but if she thinks this is the best thing then I will support her always.”

Williamson added when asked if she would have tried to talk Earps out of her retirement decision: “I would always try and change her mind because I want her as my team-mate. Us as players will know her better than anybody else. We've been through journeys together and the demands on and off the pitch - there is so much that comes into play now. To come to that hard decision, I have to respect her for that but she knows I didn't want her to leave.”

England will be in Nations League action against Portugal at Wembley Stadium on Friday, before then taking in a trip to World Cup winners Spain on June 3. The Lionesses’ Euro 2025 campaign gets underway on July 5.