Mary Earps has emerged as one of the most compelling and influential figures in modern football, transcending the role of a mere goalkeeper to become a symbol of resilience, advocacy, and unyielding determination. 

Her journey, marked by incredible highs and personal battles, has not only seen her achieve phenomenal success on the pitch but also sparked crucial conversations about equality, mental health, and the commercial landscape of women’s sport. 

As of 2025, Earps’ impact continues to resonate deeply, shaping the narrative around female athletes and inspiring a new generation. This comprehensive article delves into her remarkable career, her defining contributions, her personal journey, and the lasting legacy she is forging in the world of football and beyond.

The Ascent of a Guardian: Mary Earps’ Illustrious Career

Mary Alexandra Earps, born on March 7, 1993, in Nottingham, England, discovered her passion for goalkeeping at a young age. Her early career saw her hone her skills at various clubs, steadily building a reputation for her shot-stopping abilities and commanding presence.

Early Career and Formative Years

Earps’ professional journey began with a series of moves through prominent English clubs. She played for Leicester City, Nottingham Forest, Doncaster Rovers Belles, Coventry City (on loan), Birmingham City, and Bristol Academy. 

Each stint provided invaluable experience, allowing her to develop her technical prowess and tactical understanding of the game. Her time at Reading (2016-2018) particularly showcased her talent, earning her a spot in the PFA WSL Team of the Year in 2016-17.

International Exposure and Breakthrough

A significant step in Earps’ career came with her move to VfL Wolfsburg in Germany for the 2018-19 season. This experience in the Frauen-Bundesliga, a highly competitive league, exposed her to a different style of play and further refined her abilities. While her appearances were limited, she gained crucial experience, including winning the Frauen-Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal.

Upon returning to England, Earps joined Manchester United in 2019, a move that would prove pivotal. It was here that she truly cemented her status as one of the best goalkeepers in the Women’s Super League (WSL). Her consistent performances for Manchester United caught the attention of the national team management.

Earps had represented England at various youth levels (U17, U19, U23) and earned her first senior cap in 2017. However, it was under Sarina Wiegman’s management that Earps truly flourished as England’s number one. 

Wiegman’s belief in her capabilities saw Earps reclaim the starting spot, and she played every minute of England’s historic UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 triumph. Her crucial saves and leadership were instrumental in securing England’s first major international trophy.

Defining Moments and Accolades

The Euro 2022 victory catapulted Earps into the national spotlight, but her performances at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup cemented her global icon status. Despite England finishing as runners-up, Earps was awarded the Golden Glove, recognizing her as the tournament’s best goalkeeper. 

Her penalty save against Jenni Hermoso in the final, though ultimately not leading to victory, became a widely circulated and celebrated moment, showcasing her immense skill and composure under pressure.

The accolades continued to pour in. Mary Earps was named The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper in both 2022 and 2023, a testament to her consistent excellence. She also received the prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the Year award in 2023, becoming only the second female footballer to win the award. 

Furthermore, she was included in the FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11 for two consecutive years (2023, 2024), an award voted on by her peers, highlighting the respect she commands within the global football community. In 2024, she made a significant move to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the Première Ligue, continuing to challenge herself at the highest level of club football.

As of the 2024/2025 season with PSG, Earps has continued to demonstrate her top-tier abilities, making 27 appearances across all competitions, recording 11 clean sheets, and conceding 24 goals. These statistics underscore her ongoing impact and reliability as a top-flight goalkeeper.

Goalkeeping Excellence: Techniques and Modern Trends

Mary Earps’ success as a goalkeeper is built on a foundation of exceptional technical skill, tactical intelligence, and unwavering mental fortitude.

Key Goalkeeping Techniques

Shot-Stopping: Earps is renowned for her sharp reflexes and ability to make crucial saves, particularly from close range. Her agility and explosive power allow her to cover her goal effectively.

Positioning: A hallmark of her game is her astute positioning. She consistently places herself in the optimal spot to narrow angles for attackers, making her goal appear smaller. This involves constant adjustment based on the ball’s movement and opposition players. FIFA’s Football Performance Insights team notes that being in the “set position” prior to a shot increases a goalkeeper’s save chance by over 20%, a principle Earps clearly embodies.

Distribution: In the modern game, goalkeepers are increasingly involved in build-up play. Earps possess strong distribution skills, capable of accurate short passes to initiate attacks and long, incisive clearances to relieve pressure or launch counter-attacks.

Command of the Area: Her vocal leadership and commanding presence in the penalty box are vital. She effectively organizes her defense, communicates with her backline, and confidently claims crosses and through balls, minimizing threats in dangerous areas.

One-on-One Situations: Earps excels in one-on-one scenarios, demonstrating bravery and quick decision-making to deny attackers. She often advances from her line to close down space, forcing attackers into rushed decisions, a technique observed in her World Cup performances.

Recent Trends in Women’s Football Goalkeeping (as of 2025)

The role of the goalkeeper in women’s football continues to evolve, with several key trends shaping the position:

Increased Technical Proficiency: Goalkeepers are expected to be as comfortable with the ball at their feet as outfield players. This includes precise passing, ball control, and the ability to operate under pressure in tight spaces.

Sweeper-Keeper Role: More goalkeepers are adopting a “sweeper-keeper” role, actively coming off their line to intercept through balls, clear danger, and initiate attacks from deep positions. This requires excellent decision-making and speed.

Physicality and Athleticism: The demands on goalkeepers physically have increased. They need to possess exceptional agility, strength, and explosive power to deal with powerful shots and dynamic attacking plays.

Data Analytics Integration: Clubs are increasingly using data analytics to inform goalkeeping training and performance analysis. This includes tracking save percentages, distribution accuracy, positioning errors, and shot concession patterns to identify areas for improvement.

Specialized Goalkeeping Coaching: There’s a growing recognition of the need for highly specialized goalkeeping coaches who can develop tailored training programs focusing on individual strengths and weaknesses, integrating both technical and psychological aspects of the game.

Mental Fortitude: Given the high-pressure nature of the position, mental resilience and psychological training are becoming even more critical. Goalkeepers must be able to bounce back from errors and maintain focus throughout a match.

FAQ 

What are Mary Earps’ most significant achievements in her career?

Mary Earps has a remarkable list of achievements, most notably winning the UEFA Women’s Euro in 2022 with England. Individually, she was awarded the Golden Glove at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, named The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper in both 2022 and 2023, and secured the prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the Year award in 2023. She has also won domestic titles, including the Frauen-Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal with VfL Wolfsburg.

Why did Mary Earps retire from international football in 2025?

Mary Earps announced her retirement from international football in May 2025, ahead of the Euro 2025 tournament. This decision came after discussions with England manager Sarina Wiegman where Earps was informed she would not be the primary starting goalkeeper for the tournament, with Hannah Hampton being favored. Earps stated that the decision was a “difficult” and “emotional” one, but ultimately it was “the right time” for her to step aside and allow younger players opportunities, citing personal reasons and prioritizing her well-being.

How did Mary Earps impact the conversation around women’s sports merchandise?

Mary Earps profoundly impacted the conversation around women’s sports merchandise during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. She publicly criticized Nike for not selling replica goalkeeper jerseys, highlighting the disparity in representation and commercial opportunities for female athletes. 

Her outspoken stance led to widespread public support and immense pressure on Nike, ultimately resulting in the company reversing its decision and making the jerseys available. This incident underscored the demand for women’s sports apparel and the importance of equitable treatment.

What is Mary Earps’ approach to mental health awareness?

Mary Earps has been a vocal advocate for mental health awareness, openly sharing her own experiences with struggles during her career, including contemplating retirement after being dropped from the England squad. She uses her platform to destigmatize conversations around mental health, emphasizing that it’s acceptable to not be okay and that seeking support is a sign of strength. Her powerful statements, like dedicating an award to “anyone who’s ever been in a dark place,” have resonated widely and encouraged greater openness in the sporting community.

What is Mary Earps’ current club as of 2025?

As of 2025, Mary Earps plays as a goalkeeper for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the Première Ligue. She made a significant move to the French club in the 2024/2025 season after a successful tenure with Manchester United.

Final Thoughts

Mary Earps has undeniably left an indelible mark on women’s football and the wider sporting world. Her journey from aspiring goalkeeper to global icon is a powerful narrative of talent, perseverance, and integrity. 

She has not only redefined what it means to be a top-tier goalkeeper but has also utilized her platform to champion critical issues, inspiring millions and setting new benchmarks for athlete advocacy. 

As she navigates new chapters in her career, her legacy of excellence, authenticity, and unwavering commitment to making a positive impact will continue to resonate, reminding us that true leadership extends far beyond the confines of the pitch.

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