Why Mary Earps being honoured at Wembley was important to close the Lionesses saga

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.

Closing the chapter on a complicated farewell

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.

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.

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.