‘Super woman’ - Lionesses star Mary Earps reveals touching message from Man Utd team-mate after winning back-to-back FIFA The Best awards

On Monday Earps won The Best FIFA Women's Goalkeeper prize at a glittering awards ceremony in London. After winning the award in 2023, Earps has now been named the best female goalkeeper in the world for two consecutive years. On Thursday, the England star took to Instagram to share a touching message she received from her Manchester United teammate Safia Middleton-Patel.

Middleton-Patel - also a goalkeeper at United - wrote Earps a note and handed it to her along with a tiny Lego trophy. The 19-year-old wrote: "To Dr Mary A Earps MBE, congrats on back-to-back NO.1!! Proud of you. Saf [smiley face emoji]. Lego trophy for super woman."

Instagram (@1maryearps)

As well as taking the individual goalkeeping prize, Earps was included in the FIFA FIFPRO Women's World XI for the first time in her career. The 30-year-old played a key role in England reaching the final of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, and helped Manchester United to second place in the Women's Super League last season.

There has been growing speculation about Earps' future in recent months, as her United contract is due to expire in the summer. Regardless, the goalkeeper will return to WSL action when Marc Skinner's side take on league leaders Chelsea on Sunday.