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A long-awaited tribute helped bring closure to one of the most talked-about sagas in Lionesses history

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The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week. Become a Member in Seconds Unlock instant access to exclusive member features. You are now subscribed Your newsletter sign-up was successful Want to add more newsletters? Five times a week Four Four Two Daily Fantastic football content straight to your inbox! From the latest transfer news, quizzes, videos, features and interviews with the biggest names in the game, plus lots more. Once a week . .. And it’s LIVE! Sign up to our FREE live football newsletter, tracking all of the biggest games available to watch on the device of your choice. Never miss a kick-off! Join the club Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards. Mary Earps was honoured at Wembley ahead of England’s fixture against Spain, following her international retirement last year. The tribute came after months of tension surrounding the timing of her exit ahead of Euro 2025 and subsequent controversial comments made in her autobiography. The moment offered a sense of closure for the European championship-winning goalkeeper and fans, who were able to celebrate her incredible England career.

When Mary Earps walked out at Wembley Stadium to be honoured ahead of kick-off, it felt like more than just a routine presentation. It felt necessary to end the noise on a complicated international retirement. After months of debate among supporters, the moment allowed Lionesses fans to properly acknowledge one of their most influential players of recent times.

The last few months of noise would make it easy to forget that Earps was central to England’s triumph at Euro 2022 and the Lionesses’ run to the final of the 2023 World Cup, a match in which she saved a penalty. As well as earning 53 caps, she used her platform to drive change off the pitch - most notably calling on Nike to make the World Cup goalkeeper shirts available to fans in, a campaign that ultimately led to the manufacturer making a U-turn. She went on to win BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2023. The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week. Her impact on the pitch and on inspiring a generation of young goalkeepers has never been in doubt. Yet her international retirement, announced just weeks before Euro 2025, complicated that legacy in the public eye. Having lost her starting place to Hannah Hampton, Earps spoke candidly in her autobiography about her disappointment with the decision made by head coach Sarina Wiegman. The reaction was mixed - some praised her honesty while others questioned the timing and tone, especially as all parties involved were still playing football. A special moment at @wembleystadium for Mary Earps ? pic. twitter. com/Gr MFxmb Pqt April 14, 2026 So when she returned to Wembley ahead of the Lionesses' victory , all eyes were on the reception she would receive in front of more than 60, 000 fans. It mattered that the stadium responded with warmth as her montage was played and she waved to the stands. There were smiles and hugs from fellow teammates including captain Leah Williamson, Keira Walsh, Lucy Bronze and Alessia Russo. Goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck also greeted her with a warm embrace. The England manager had urged fans beforehand to focus on Earps’ legacy rather than the controversy, calling her “an inspiration” and hope that supporters would “celebrate her. " And they did. “Let’s cherish the moments we had together, ” Wiegman said. “Mary had a great career and for us was the world's best. "It shows what she has done for the game, what she has done for England. She is an inspiration for so many people, particularly young goalkeepers. She deserves a great farewell and I hope it will be a nice moment. ” Not only was it a nice moment, but a much-needed moment. It closes the chapter on the saga and ensures we can remember Earps as a Lionesses great. Ayisha Gulati is the women's football writer at Four Four Two. Fresh from a summer covering the Lionesses’ triumphant Euro 2025 campaign in Switzerland, she brings a passion for all things WSL, UWCL, and international women’s football. She has interviewed names including Alessia Russo and Aitana Bonmati and enjoys telling stories that capture the excitement on and off the pitch. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

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