Mary Earps scoops 2022 Best FIFA Women's Goalkeeper prize
England and Manchester United star Mary Earps has won the 2022 Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper award in recognition of her outstanding year.
Earps established herself as England number one in the latter stages of 2021, spectacularly resurrecting an international career that appeared to fading away, and conceded only twice in seven games as the Lionesses won Euro 2022 on home soil.
The 29-year-old has also emerged as the best goalkeeper in a highly competitive WSL and has underpinned Manchester United’s defensive strength.
She beat Lyon’s Christiane Endler and Chelsea’s Ann-Katrin Berger to the prize.
On receiving the award, Earps said: "I feel really honoured to be holding this trophy.
"I want to say thank you to my loved ones, my team-mates and the coaching staff at Man Utd and England.
"This is for anyone that has been in a dark place, this shows that there is light at the end of the tunnel."
On top of her outstanding on-field performances for club and country, Earps gained viral notoriety for her post-match celebrations after England beat Germany in the Euro 2022 final. As the Lionesses gatecrashed Sarina Wiegman’s press conference, Earps danced her way onto the top of the desk.
On the pitch, she has become known for incredible shot-stopping and command of her penalty area, always heard shouting instructions to the defenders in front of her.
Earps is the first English player to even be nominated as a finalist for the FIFA women’s goalkeeper award, which was created in 2019. Endler had won the title in 2021, while Sari van Veenendaal and Sarah Bouhaddi are also among the previous winners.