My struggle with being in public eye as I balance my professional and personal life, by Lioness hero Mary Earps

She’s caught the public imagination with her dazzling displays between the sticks for England.

But Lioness star Mary Earps has told of her struggles to balance her professional and personal life.

The goalkeeper, 30, said: ‘Probably the hardest part is the public eye element.

‘It’s really hard to find a balance between Mary the person and Mary Earps the footballer – the whoever that everyone else thinks that you are.

The Manchester United player, in an interview with Women’s Health magazine, spoke about the row when Nike did not release a replica goalkeeper shirt

‘A few years ago, I feel like I pledged to myself that I was always going to try to be my authentic self, come hell or high water, whether it goes really well or really badly. Just try and just be yourself.’

The Manchester United player, in an interview with Women’s Health magazine, spoke about the row when Nike did not release a replica goalkeeper shirt after England were finalists in the 2023 World Cup.

After criticism, the company issued a shirt which quickly sold out. ‘It wasn’t about me,’ she said. 

‘It was about the message being sent to kids especially but [also] to people who have a huge passion and interest in goalkeeping. I felt they were being shunned.’

She also told of her hope that misogynistic attitudes will change. ‘Sport is a vehicle for change but it’s also a representation of society,’ she said. 

‘But I don’t think having a more… aggressive response helps our cause. That’s the irony of the whole situation.’

The full interview can be read in the March issue of Women’s Health UK, on sale now.