“I have taken the difficult decision to retire internationally.” Who would have thought we’d hear these words from Mary Earps—not only at the age of 32 but also just a month and a half before a major international tournament? Yet it happened, with the PSG veteran calling it the “right” decision, though one she didn’t take “lightly.” Weeks have passed since Earps’ surprising step down, but it seems her former Manchester United teammates, Christen Press and Tobin Heath, still aren’t over this development.

Despite having won the 2021 Euros with the Lionesses, Earps decided to call it quits just before Sarina Wiegman and Co. were gearing up to defend their potential second title. A solid performance even in the 2023 World Cup, guiding the team to the final, where they lost narrowly against Spain. And given how Mary had a “big main character energy” in both tournaments, “It was a huge shock” for both Press and Heath to hear the retirement news.

“She did say that this is a decision that wasn’t made rashly…she had been thinking about this for over a year,” said Heath on the latest episode of the RE—INC podcast. Well, the former Seattle Reign star believes that part of this retirement decision stems from the competition surrounding the England women’s national team’s No.1 spot, which was apparently “going back and forth” between Earps and Hannah Hampton.

Yet Tobin insists it was largely the 24-year-old who was ahead of the veteran in Sarina Wiegman’s eyes, knowing deep down it was more of a decisive call. This only made the former USWNT forward recall one of Mary’s “beautiful” quotes, where the Parisian goalkeeper spoke about the many dimensions involved in hanging up her boots, including the sense that “it’s now the right moment” for her to step aside—simply making way for a new era and a new England team.

No wonder that hearing the news saw Press and Heath engage in some serious decisions, shortly after congratulating their ‘dearest friend’ on stepping down from a successful international career. “It brought up in our life a lot of mixed feelings. We sacrifice so much to be at what we call a world championship, even though this is a European championship, that it feels miserable, suffering being second choice—that’s just all part of the course,” insisted Christen Press.

The Angel City star insisted that Earps simply shouldn’t have opted out as such challenges are natural. It is exactly the kind of situation that one signs up for, fighting for their place on the team. But eventually, the BBC Sports Personality of the Year winner hung up her boots in a surprising factor, something which may end up affecting Earps’ Lionnesses teammates!

Christen Press and Tobin Heath warns Lionnesses over Mary Earps’ exit

While stressing how an honor it is to represent the national team, Tobin Heath reminded Mary Earps that the goalie wouldn’t have possibly known what role she would have gotten at the Euros. “We still don’t necessarily know what her role would be; we just know that at the start of the tournament, she wasn’t going to be the first goalkeeper,” remarked the former PSG forward.

The two-time World Cup winner pointed out that if Hannah Hampton were to suffer a potential injury during the tournament, the Lionesses would be left relying on two uncapped goalkeepers rather than an experienced one like Mary—turning the entire storyline into something completely different.

Christen Press agreed with her fiance and former national teammate, insisting it was definitely not written-in-stone that Hampton would play all the games in Euros. “I cannot imagine going into a tournament and believing that a player that starts the tournament is going to end the tournament,” remarked the ACFC veteran.

Press insisted that Earps should have instead embraced a “relentless optimist” approach—something the 36-year-old forward believes is deeply etched into the DNA of USWNT players. Regardless, there’s nothing anyone can do, as this was Mary’s final decision.