When a player announces their retirement, a good way of understanding their legacy is the reaction of their peers. When Millie Bright announced her international retirement in October 2025, the Chelsea defender was met with a litany of tributes.
England manager Sarina Wiegman said:
“I loved working with her. What she has done on the pitch and off the pitch as a leader is so incredible.”
Her former England teammate Esme Morgan said:
“I love Millie so much. She’s such an incredible teammate. I remember when I first came into the squad, she made me feel so welcome, really made an effort to get to know me and help me feel included and settled and a part of it.”
What has been made abundantly clear from these tributes is that Bright’s contribution to the Lionesses was one that will live long in the memory. A player who gave everything she possibly could both on and off the pitch. The epitome of a leader.
Bright called time on her 88-cap international career because, in her own words:
“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.”
Her decision to withdraw from the 2025 European Championship and the Nations League squad arguably predicated her decision. After completing a domestic treble with Chelsea, competing on four fronts and making 36 appearances in all competitions, the season took its toll both physically and mentally. Bright stated that she could not give “100% mentally or physically.”
She made her senior international debut in September 2016, replacing Karen Carney as a late substitute in a 2-0 win against Belgium. She quickly became a mainstay in the international set up, making 17 international appearances in 2017 and seven the following year.
By the time of the 2019 World Cup in France, Bright had established a formidable central defensive partnership with Steph Houghton. She started two out of three England group games against Scotland and Japan, conceding just the one goal. Her place in the starting XI for the knockout stages was secure, starting in the 3-0 Round of 16 win against Cameroon and 3-0 Quarter Final triumph over Norway. England lost in the semi-finals to eventual winners the United States in heartbreaking fashion.
The next international tournament however was a different story. This time alongside captain Leah Williamson, Bright started every game in the 2022 Euros, conceding only twice as they brought football home, winning the Lionesses’ first major tournament and England’s first major trophy since 1966. Her status as a legend was now solidified.
She then went on to captain England at the 2023 World Cup in Australia due to Williamson missing the tournament after suffering an ACL injury in the latter stages of the 2022/23 WSL season.
This time her defensive partner was Man City’s Alex Greenwood. Again, Bright thrived, leading England to their first ever World Cup Final and narrowly missing out on the trophy, losing 1-0 to Spain.
On reflection, Bright’s England career bridged the gap between the Lionesses’ rise to national prominence to becoming national treasures. It seems fitting that her retirement comes at the time where the Lionesses have never been as adored as now. Her work is done.
On the pitch for England, her performances were colossal. Not only was her adaption to differing defensive partners endlessly impressive but the success she found with each is a testament to her quality as a player. Her contributions and efforts have left the future of defenders in English women’s football as bright as it could be.
