Millie Bright, the former captain of the Lionesses, has announced her retirement from international football, marking the end of an era for the England women's national team. The 32-year-old defender, who currently captains Chelsea, made the announcement on Monday, October 13, 2025, just ahead of the squad announcement for England's upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Australia.
Bright retires after earning 88 caps for her country, during which she played a pivotal role in the Lionesses' most significant achievements. She was a key figure in the team that won the UEFA Women's European Championship in 2022, a historic victory that marked England's first major international title since 1966. In the absence of Leah Williamson, Bright also captained the Lionesses to the final of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, where they finished as runners-up.
Bright explained that her decision to retire stems from a need to prioritize her physical and mental health, as well as a desire to spend more time with family and friends. Speaking on her Rest is Football: Daly Brightness podcast, she said, "It's a feeling and I'm at peace with it... As you get older, your priorities change. I've been craving family time, time with friends, and time for myself". She also acknowledged the physical demands of playing for both club and country, stating, "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".
Throughout her international career, Bright has been recognized for her defensive prowess, leadership qualities, and unwavering commitment to the team. She formed strong partnerships in the backline, most notably with Steph Houghton, with the pair achieving 12 clean sheets in their first 20 matches together. Her contributions were recognized with an OBE in the King's New Years' Honours List 2024 for services to football.
Bright's retirement comes after she missed England's defense of their European title in the summer of 2025, citing mental and physical burnout. She has since returned to action for Chelsea this season after undergoing minor knee surgery.
Born in Chesterfield, Bright's journey to international football began after she was scouted by Sheffield United while playing for Killamarsh Dynamos. She later moved to Doncaster Rovers Belles before joining Chelsea in 2015. With Chelsea, she has won numerous domestic honors, including four FA WSL titles and three Women's FA Cups. She also represented Team GB at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Millie Bright's retirement marks a significant loss for the Lionesses, but her legacy as a leader, defender, and champion will undoubtedly inspire future generations of players.
