Armchair body language experts were at the edge of their seats when the goalkeeper award was given out at the Ballon d’Or ceremony on Monday night.
Lionesses hero Hannah Hampton, who took home the Women’s Yashin Trophy following her starring role in the Euros triumph, was given the prize by former team-mate-turned-rival Mary Earps.
The 24-year-old Chelsea shot-stopper had been in a battle with Earps to become first choice for the tournament in Switzerland.
With it becoming increasingly clear that Hampton was set to win the race, Earps, 32, sent shockwaves through the sporting world by ending her international footballing career five weeks before the Lionesses’ Euros title defence.
Earps’ decision to retire reportedly surprised her England team-mates and angered head coach Sarina Wiegman. In public, Wiegman admitted she had been left ‘disappointed’ by the Lionesses legend who was subsequently dubbed ‘Queen of Strops’.
The England veteran said she felt ‘villainised’ by the reaction to her abrupt retirement.
Mary Earps (right) watched on as the goalkeeper who usurped her, Hannah Hampton (second from right) won the Lev Yashin trophy for best female stopper in the world. Gianluigi Donnarumma (left) was also given the men’s prize by Gianluigi Buffon (second from left)
Hampton was announced as England’s No 1, prompting Earps’ shock international retirement
On Monday night, she was on stage along with fellow legendary stopper Gianluigi Buffon to hand over the prizes for the best male and female goalkeeper in world football.
As Hampton was announced, she rose from her seat and shared a brief knowing smile with team-mate Chloe Kelly before making her way to the stage.
There was a very short, slightly awkward hug between Hampton and Earps before the winners took up their spot on the stage.
Earps positioned herself some distance to Hampton’s left away from Donarumma and Buffon, while she listened to the victory speech, opting to stand next to the presenters instead.
Earps, who now just plays club football for PSG, was a mainstay for England between 2017 and 2025. At the World Cup in 2023 she won the Golden Glove and was subsequently given an MBE.
But for a player with a brilliant legacy, there was an abrupt end with controversy rather than fanfare.
Wiegman had confirmed that Hampton had moved ahead of Earps in the pecking order for England. The new No 2 then released a statement, saying: ‘This is the right time for me to step aside and give the younger generation an opportunity to thrive.’
When reacting to the Earps bombshell at the time, Hampton said: ‘First of all, we have to respect her decision.
Donnarumma, Buffon and Hampton stood close together but Earps kept her distance on stage
Hampton beamed with pride after claiming the trophy having helped lead the Lionesses to glory
‘I think there’s been quite a bit of scrutiny that she probably doesn’t deserve, with everything that she’s achieved in the game, as well as putting women’s goalkeeping on the map for the younger generation. Goalkeeping was never really a thing, and Mary’s changed that.’
In terms of reaching out to Earps, Hampton said: ‘I think I’ve done everything I need to do. I’ve sent her a text, and I congratulated her on a very successful international career, and I think that’s all I really can do.
‘I don’t think there’s anything else, and I don’t really… I’m not expecting anything back. She’s been an unbelievable player.
‘We’re going to miss her as a person here. She’s a big personality in this team and she glued us all together at times when we needed to.’
Earps later spoke about the negative reaction to her. Speaking on Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place podcast, she claimed the reaction to her retirement five weeks out from the Euros left her feeling villianised.
‘I think I was villainised in a way, it was a bit hard to see and read things,’ Earps said.
‘It’s more what my friends and family see and then the way they interact with me. I’m like, ‘Oh, I know you’ve seen something’, and I’m upset for them because I’m like, ‘You didn’t choose this. You’ve now got to deal with this.’
Hampton was the understudy for England legend Earps before replacing her – here they are pictured celebrating together in training back in 2022
‘I’m then gutted for them and I don’t really want to know what’s being said, but it’s coming out in comments. I feel like that’s hard.’
Hampton went on to reward Wiegman’s faith in her with a starring role throughout the Euros, culminating in penalty saves in the final shootout against Spain.
In her acceptance speech on Monday evening, Hampton paid tribute to Matt Beard, the ex-Chelsea, Liverpool, West Ham and Bristol City manager, who died on Saturday aged 47.
‘The women’s game sadly on Saturday lost a real trailblazer, Matt Beard,’ said Hampton. ‘Matt was someone who cared an awful lot for the women’s game when no-one else did. He lit up the room whenever he was in it.
‘And this is just a message to show that not everyone should have to go through these dark moments alone. Sometimes the brightest smiles in the room hide the heaviest pain. He’ll be greatly missed.’
She went on to say: ‘ I don’t think it’s an achievement for me but for women’s goalkeeping, that the award is finally now taking part.
Hampton was given the nod to be England’s No 1 and back it up with top performances
‘I stand on the shoulders of so many great goalkeepers of the past. Sitting alongside my fellow nominees, I’m proud to be a part of such an incredible group and inspiring future generations of goalkeepers coming through and training so hard.
‘I’d like to thank my family, my brother – who is here tonight – for the sacrifices that you made when I was growing up, driving me around everywhere so that I could fulfil my dream and be here tonight.
‘To all the coaches, there’s so many. To Sarina for having the faith in me over the summer, with the success we’ve had. To the fans – your support does not go unnoticed and it truly means a lot.
‘Finally, to Grandpa. I love and miss you every day. I hope I made you proud. We did it.’
