‘No bitterness’ – Millie Bright at peace with international retirement after summer of ‘healing’ | OneFootball

Millie Bright says she is “at peace” and has “no bitterness” about her decision to retire from international football, after 88 caps for England.

The Chelsea captain announced her international retirement on Monday, the day before Sarina Wiegman announced her squad for the upcoming internationals against Brazil and China.

After Bright ruled herself out of the Euros in Switzerland in summer, there was speculation about her England future, which she has finally put to rest.

“It’s not a decision that comes lightly,” the 32-year-old said. “And it’s not a decision that just happens overnight. It’s something that, as a player, it’s really hard to explain.

“You have little thoughts in your head for a long time. And it’s one of the moments where no one can really give you advice, because it has to be your decision.

“It has to be something that you’re at peace with when you come to that. The question I’ve had a lot lately is, ‘why now?’. In the summer, I wasn’t in a place to even think about anything other than myself. And the summer was about me, physically and mentally, kind of healing and fixing myself.

“I needed to just take a step back and honestly, it wasn’t really a question I was asking myself at that moment. I just wanted to come back in a better place for pre-season and I’ve had a good start to the season.

“I think it’s important to make decisions when you’re in a clear mindset and in a good place, so that is why I’ve waited until I felt like I was in a position to make my final decision.

“There’s no bitterness and none of those feelings that I’ve made the wrong decision – I’ve not had any of those thoughts.”

Bright’s England career spanned nine years, after making her senior debut in September 2016. Her final game for the Lionesses was a 3-2 defeat by Belgium in April.

She will be rememebered for being a key part of the victorious Euro 2022 side and also for leading her country to a World Cup final, as she stepped in as captain after Leah Williamson’s ACL injury.

Another standout moment in Bright’s international career came in the inaugural Arnold Clark Cup in 2022, when the centre-back shared the Golden Boot award with two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas.

“I don’t see my retirement as a sad thing,” Bright added. “I see it as a celebration of an amazing England career.

“I’m very grateful and blessed for the opportunities that I’ve been given and the opportunities to play in the biggest tournaments. I’ve played with some of the best players in the world, lifting trophies, making memories with my family and travelling the world. Those are opportunities that aren’t just gifted to anyone so I feel really lucky.

“I see it as an opportunity now to be 100% for my club and I’ve still got big ambitions. There are things that are missing from the cabinet and still lots of records to break.

“I’m really happy and I’m in a really good place. I thank everyone for everything that they’ve done for me over the years, but now it’s time to be number one supporter.”

Despite winning everything domestically and going for a seventh consecutive Women’s Super League title this campaign, European glory is the one thing that has evaded the Blues.

Bright was speaking alongside Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor ahead of their Champions League clash against Paris FC on Wednesday night and the French manager was full of praise for Bright’s England career.

“Congrats Millie on this huge achievement,” Bompastor said. “I think being able to play at the highest level for so long, being consistent and showing that many performances at this level, as a player, as a captain, as a leader, but also as a good person.

“I think Millie was for me a surprise when I joined Chelsea. When I say surprise, just because I faced her multiple times when I was manager at other clubs. But when I first joined, I could discover the person she is too. When you want to be one of the best in the world, you have to be a really good player, but also a good person.

“She has great values and she has shown that through her career. She’s training to do that every day in Chelsea and a big thank you for that. She’s a big support for me as a captain, as a leader in the team. She means everything to this club.”