Earps becomes the first goalkeeper to win Women’s Player of the Year award ahead of Ballon d’Or winner

England and Manchester United No.1 Mary Earps has become the first goalkeeper in history to win the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year award.

Earps wins most votes for BBC prizeBeat Ballon d’Or winner Aitana BonmatiEngland keeper ‘honoured’ to get nod

The BBC announced Earps as the winner of their annual prize on Tuesday morning, with the 30-year-old recognised for her achievements across the 2022-23 season. Earps helped Manchester United finish second in the WSL before playing a key role in the Lionesses run to the World Cup final, which they ultimately lost 1-0 to Spain.

Fans voted for Earps as the winner of the award on the BBC Sport website after a five-player shortlist was put together by a panel of football experts. Earps finished first ahead of 2023 Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati, with Chelsea and Australia forward Sam Kerr coming in third.

“I am truly honoured,” Earps told BBC Sport after the announcement. “To be the first keeper to get their hands on the award is special and I am incredibly grateful.” Earps also made headlines recently for calling out the Lionesses’ kit manufacturer Nike for not making replicas of her No.1 shirt for supporters during the World Cup. The United star, who finished fifth in the 2023 Ballon d’Or vote, has been humbled by the support she has received after a rollercoaster year.

“To be honest, I thought Bonmati might take it. I mean, what a player,” she added. “There has been a lot that has happened this year. Obviously, we’ve had the World Cup. We’ve had everything that’s gone on with the goalkeeper shirts. I’ve had the whole goalkeeper union behind me, it seemed like. Not even just that, just incredible support from the public and many people. Last year was an incredible season for United. I think it’s been an incredible year, an incredible couple of years. I’m just trying to make the most of everything really.”

Earps is the fourth British player to scoop the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year accolade, after two-time winner Lucy Bronze, Beth Mead and Kim Little. She also received a congratulatory message from England boss Sarina Wiegman, who said in a video: “Hi Mary, here I go again. I can congratulate you again with the award for women’s world footballer of the year. Congratulations, but you’re not done yet. You have to keep going – get some more. Enjoy this award.”