Fans spot ‘generational’ awkward moment as Lionesses hero gets Ballon d'Or award

FOOTBALL fans couldn't help but notice Mary Earps looking frosty as she presented Hannah Hampton with a Ballon d'Or award for best women's goalkeeper.

Hampton was handed the Women's Yashin Trophy after she played a huge part in England winning Euro 2025.

6 Hannah Hampton was presented her Ballon d'Or award by ex-England keeper Mary Earps Credit: Getty

6 Fans called the moment "diabolical" after Hampton replaced Earps as England's No 1 Credit: Getty

6 Some said Earps looked "raging" after presenting Hampton with the award Credit: Getty

6 Others called the moment "absolutely generational" Credit: Getty

Former England goalkeeper Earps was on stage to announce Hampton as the winner, alongside new Manchester City star Gianluigi Donnarumma for the men's award.

Earps was a hero for England after she helped the team win Euro 2022, but announced her shock decision to retire before the start of this year's tournament.

Some reports claimed she hung up her gloves after learning she would play a back-up role.

While boss Sarina Wiegman admitted she was "disappointed by her decision."

Hampton replaced her as the team's No 1 and has gone on to enjoy huge success.

And, as Earps presented Hampton with her award and watched on during her speech, eagle-eyed fans claimed she "didn't look impressed".

A clip shows Earps watching from behind Hampton with her head tilted and hands clasped - a moment one called "absolutely generational".

Another said it was "very diabolical for Ballon D'Or to let Mary Earps present the Yachine Trophy award for Hannah Hampton ", adding: "I understand that look on Earps."

A third dubbed it a "hilariously poetic photo", while another added: "She is RAGING."

One said: "Whoever made this script happen is extremely messy."

At the time of her retirement, Earps said she had made her decision to allow younger players a chance of featuring for the Lionesses.

Wiegman said she wasn't happy with the call from Earps, saying: "I'm really disappointed, I want her in my team.

"She has done such a great job for England, we've had an incredible journey. I really cherish that, that's where the disappointment comes from.

"It's emotional, because we have a relationship and we've had lots of highs, some lows too. It makes it hard. I'm sad."

Earps later claimed she was "villainised" by fans after stepping aside following 53 caps.

6 Hampton was Earps' understudy when England won Euro 2022 Credit: Getty

6 Hampton has enjoyed huge success after winning her seventh trophy this summer Credit: Getty

She told the Happy Place podcast: "It was difficult and it was painful. Some people were amazing and the girls, the way they had my back. That meant the absolute world to me.

"I think that I was villainised in a way, that probably was a bit hard to see things and read things, but it’s more what my friends and family see.

"I’m upset for them because I’m like: ‘You didn’t choose this. You’ve got to now deal with this'. That’s hard. But in the end I feel like it was the right decision.”