Hannah Hampton reveals challenges on route to the England No. 1 shirt - 'I’ve proved people wrong'

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Hannah Hampton has revealed the challenges that she overcame on route to becoming England's number one goalkeeper. Hampton had to endure several medical procedures on her eyes, with some doctors even saying she would not be able to become a professional footballer. She has proven the doubters wrong and now looks set to start in goal for the Lionesses at UEFA Women's Euro 2025.

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Hannah Hampton believes she has proven a lot of people wrong after overcoming issues with her eyes to become England's number one goalkeeper.

Hampton looks set to start in goal for the Lionesses at UEFA Women's Euro 2025 after replacing Mary Earps in Sarina Wiegman's starting eleven.

However, her route to professional football has not always been so clear, with doctors informing her that a squint may hamper her chances.

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Hampton endured several corrective procedures and defied the doctors to reach the top of the beautiful game.

"I’m sat here right now," Hampton told The Independent. "I think I can say that I’ve proved people wrong."

Earps retired from international football in May.

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The goalkeeper received criticism for the timing of her decision, with some pundits arguing that it could impact England's preparations for this summer's Euros.

However, Hampton insists her predecessor deserves more respect after a sensational international career that saw her inspire England to victory at the last edition of the tournament in 2022.

"I think there's been quite a bit of scrutiny that she probably doesn't deserve with everything that she's achieved in the game and putting women's goalkeeping on the map for the younger generation. [It is] inspiring to now be a goalkeeper," Hampton added.

"It was never really a thing, and Mary's changed that.

"There’s so many more young boys and girls taking part in goalkeeping, which was never the case when I was growing up.

"We're gonna miss her as a person here. She's a big personality in this team and she glued us all together at times when we needed to be.

"I think it's been difficult for everyone to come to terms with what her decision is, but we have to respect that."

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