Look back at Millie Bright's England career upon the news of her retirement from international football.
After progressing through the youth pathway, primarily through the U19 and U23, she made her senior England debut in 2016 and quickly established herself as a central defensive option.
After the first few years, Bright became a regular presence in the England backline. She is known for her physical presence, aerial dominance, and consistent form at the club level with Chelsea.
She played through the 2019 World Cup cycle and became a dependable selection under successive managers.
The most significant moment in her career as a Vice-captain was the Euros 2022. Bright started all six matches as England won the European Championship on home soil. She was part of a defining moment for the lionesses and the future of women’s football in the WSL. Also boost Bright’s profile as a leader in defence.
In 2023, near the end of the WSL season, Leah Williamson tore her ACL, which meant she could not go to the World Cup and captain the side. At the time, England was the hot favourite to win. Millie Bright, then vice-captain, stepped up to the role and took them to the final. She is one of two captains who led England out in the final, the other being Bobby Moore, in 1966.
She maintained a stonewall for England until the summer of 2025, when she withdrew from selection for the Euros due to physical and mental fatigue. She supported the lionesses from home after having minor knee surgery. Since then, there has been significant speculation on when or if she would return to England.
She ends her career with 88 caps and six goals over nine years.
The Blues were a rock at centre-back, strong in duels, commanding in the air and comfortable carrying the ball out from the back. Coaches and teammates praised her influence on and off the pitch; Sarina Wiegman called her a “massive influence”.
Millie Bright will be remembered as one of the modern Lionesses’ most consistent and influential centre-backs, a European champion, World Cup finalist captain, and a player whose leadership and reliability defined a generation of England defenders.
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