Millie Bright hung up her boots on the international stage on the 13th of October 2025, just before the selections took place for the 2025 Euros within the England team. Bright has had a lengthy career, spanning just under ten years. As a young player, Bright made her senior debut for England in 2016 and her first Euros in the following year, where England reached the semifinals.
Since then, the centreback has collected 88 winning caps throughout her international career. Bright underwent knee surgery over the summer and started counselling sessions, which required a significant amount of time out of the game. The Chelsea captain then withdrew from the most recent Euros in July, claiming that due to a lack of mental and physical health she could not give her all to the tournament.
This shocked and saddened many fans, as Bright has proven herself to be a strong and competent player for the Lionesses. In 2022, the year the Lionesses claimed victory over Spain, Millie Bright started every game and earned a total of six goals throughout the tournament. The following year, Bright captained England to World Cup qualification.
Bright provided the world with a female superstar footballer. Her raw talent and strength as both a player and a person remain celebrated within her retirement. For Millie Bright’s extraordinary services to football, she received an OBE last year.
Her many trophies and medals are proof of these many achievements, having secured countless Women’s Super League (WSL), FA Cup, and many international tournament titles. With such big boots to fill, the question stands who will be the next England centreback? England and Arsenal captain, Leah Williamson, is eyeing up the role as she has proven herself to be a strong and competent defender.
With both her footballing and leadership skills, Williamson is a top contender. Another player is Esme Morgan, who is also a Lioness defender. Morgan is a centreback for her league team, Washington Spirit, and shows a lot of potential and talent.
Both are strong contenders for the role. However, Millie Bright will be hard to replace. Millie Bright was and still is an exceptional player, exemplifying passion and talent, and most certainly someone that the English Lionesses will miss.
Her dedication to sport and football over her whole life will continue to be highly respected, along with the legacy she has created. From her sporting beginning at clubs such as Sheffield United and Leeds Ladies, to Chelsea and England, Bright has shown class and represented women and girls for almost a decade. Thanks to Millie Bright, girls have someone to look up to when starting their sporting careers.
Bright has not fully retired from the sport, she will stay as captain for Chelsea’s WSL team, and has a lot to look forward to as the new footballing season continues. Chelsea remain the number one team and have plenty of games next month. The next game is against London, and Millie is in great form to play.
England, however, will be absent of Bright, which will prove a great loss. The Lionesses have many excellent players to look after the team and continue its legacy, but Millie Bright will be greatly missed by both fans and the England team.