England's celebrated goalkeeper Mary Earps has revealed the terrifying moment she believed her professional football career was over, forcing her to consider selling all her possessions in a desperate bid to survive.
The Lionesses star, now regarded as one of the world's finest goalkeepers, faced her darkest hour after being unexpectedly dropped from Manchester United's starting lineup, leaving her future in the sport hanging by a thread.
The Breaking Point
"I genuinely thought that was it - my career was finished," Earps confessed in an emotional interview. "I remember sitting in my flat, looking around at everything I owned and thinking about what I could sell to get by. It was the lowest point of my professional life."
The 31-year-old shot-stopper described the crushing blow of being told she was no longer United's first-choice goalkeeper, a decision that left her questioning everything she'd worked towards since childhood.
From Despair to Triumph
Despite the devastating setback, Earps refused to surrender to despair. Her remarkable comeback story saw her not only reclaim her position but ascend to become one of football's most recognised and respected figures.
"There were moments I didn't think I'd get through it," she admitted. "The mental toll was enormous. But looking back now, that difficult period made me the player and person I am today."
A Champion's Resilience
Earps' journey from nearly quitting to becoming European Champion with the Lionesses serves as an inspiring testament to perseverance in professional sport. Her story highlights the often-unseen mental battles athletes face behind the scenes.
"People see the success now, but they don't see the tears, the doubt, the moments where you question whether it's all worth it," Earps revealed. "I'm grateful for every part of that journey, even the painful bits."
The goalkeeper's honesty about her struggles provides a powerful message to aspiring athletes about resilience and the importance of mental strength in overcoming professional obstacles.
