Millie Bright: How Lionesses legend has impacted football on and off the pitch | OneFootball

Millie Bright recently announced her retirement from international football, bringing an inspiring chapter with England to a close.

From captaining the Lionesses at the 2023 World Cup, to receiving an OBE for her services to football, Bright has been a staple for the Lionesses over the past nine years.

The defender made her senior England debut in 2016 and has amassed 88 caps for her country over the years.

Bright started every game when England won their first major women’s trophy at Euro 2022. She then skippered them to become runners-up at the World Cup a year later.

Now, the 32-year-old has announced her retirement from international football, saying it was ‘the right time’ to make the decision. Bright wants to give everything she can to Chelsea, the club she’s now made 300 appearances for.

Opening up on her podcast, which she co-hosts with former England teammate Rachel Daly, Bright said she was ‘at that crossroads’ in her career.

“Can I be 50 percent for each — for England and for Chelsea? I want to be all in,” she said. “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.”

Those words underscore her advocacy both on and off the pitch. She’s no stranger to talking about looking after physical and mental health. Her decision to step back is a clear example of her putting that into practice.

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Millie Bright Euro 2025 defiance and resilience

Bright made the decision to withdraw from the 2025 Euros, where England retained their title, admitting that she wasn’t able to give it 100 percent physically or mentally.

“As much as I want to be out there running through brick walls for England and fighting alongside my teammates, stepping back is the right thing for my health, my future in the game and most importantly the team,” she wrote in a heartfelt message on Instagram during the summer.

Stepping back from a major tournament with your team and representing your country is a huge decision, one that Bright didn’t take lightly. There’s no denying that it’s a brave choice to make. It serves as a reminder to us all.

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Empowering women and girls

Having struggled with discomfort from sports bras throughout her career, Bright knew things needed to change. As a result, she launched a limited edition collection in partnership with sportswear company Maaree. The collection includes a sports bra, a T-shirt and a cap.

The aim: to help women and girls feel empowered.

Each piece is inspired by her own personal experiences. It’s a celebration of strength, resilience, and the power of dreaming big.

Showing young people we can create a better world together

In 2024, Bright became an ambassador for the UK’s leading charity for children and young people’s mental health.

She was driven by the cause after experiencing some tough times in and outside of football, and seeing her family struggle.

When reflecting on her childhood, she wishes she had somewhere to turn to. That’s why she wants to make sure young people know they don’t have to struggle alone.

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Millie Bright using social media platforms to set an example

Somehow, in her hectic football schedule, Bright is one of the women’s footballers who regularly uses her social media platforms for the greater good. She’s become a bit of a content creator, giving a glimpse into her life, collaborating with brands, and talking about the things she’s passionate about.

One of the most notable pieces of work is her collaboration with fellow former Lioness Rachel Daly. The best friends created the DalyBrightness brand. Initially starting as a clothing range, it’s branched out to charity work, giving back to the community, and most recently, their podcast.

Their self-titled podcast offers an unfiltered look at their lives, covering everything from life on the pitch to behind the scenes at England camps over the years. It also shares never-before-told stories of Euro 2022 and explores what makes them best friends.

It also goes much deeper, with mental health being a regular topic on the podcast. The fact that Bright chose their podcast as the place she wanted to announce her retirement from international football speaks volumes of how no topic is off limits.

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Millie Bright lasting football legacy

Whilst Millie Bright might have retired from international football, she’s left no mark untouched on or off the pitch.

She’ll certainly continue to inspire and empower thousands of women and girls with her honest, open and real advocacy. She will be a leader for years to come.

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