Millie Bright announces England retirement after winning 88 caps

Millie Bright has announced her retirement from international football on the eve of England’s squad announcement for friendlies against Brazil and Australia. The defender missed the team’s successful defence of their European Championship title last summer to look after her mental and physical health and revealed on Monday she would not be adding to her 88 England caps.

“It’s a feeling and I’m at peace with it,” the 32-year-old said on her Rest is Football: Daly Brightness podcast. “Having the summer to reflect, fix my knee, and get my head straight really put things into perspective. As you get older, your priorities change. I’ve been craving family time, time with friends, and time for myself.

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I’ve always played through every injury I’ve ever had, but I got to a stage where I needed to make smart decisions and look after my physical and mental health … I’m incredibly proud and honoured to have played for England for so long. Every single cap has been special and the memories I’ve made, especially with this one sat opposite me [Rachel Daly], have been some of the best of my life. But yeah, it’s time. It’s the right time for me to call it a day with England.”

She added: “Physically, I’m at that crossroads – can I be 50% for each, for England and for Chelsea? I want to be all in. To give myself the best chance of doing that and be the best for my club, I probably need to rein it in a little bit.”

Bright was ever-present in the England team that won the Euros in 2022 and jointly lifted the trophy as the vice-captain, before captaining the side that reached the World Cup final the following year in the absence of Leah Williamson.

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