Millie Bright retires from England duty to prioritise health

Millie Bright, the 32 year old Chelsea captain and long-serving England centreback, has retired from international football, she announced on her podcast on Monday. Bright said she had given the decision careful thought after withdrawing from England's squad for this summer's European Championship and undergoing knee surgery, and that she was stepping away to prioritise her physical and mental health and to focus on club football and family.

Bright made her England debut in 2016 and won 88 caps, scoring six goals. She was a member of the England side that won the European Championship on home soil in 2022 and captained the team to the 2023 World Cup final in the absence of Leah Williamson. She told listeners she had wrestled with the choice for some time and that having the summer away from international duty to "reflect, fix my knee, and get my head straight" helped clarify her priorities. "No one can make the decision for you, and it sounds cliche but it really is a feeling, and I'm at peace with it," she said.

Bright withdrew from England selection in May, saying she was unable to give 100 percent mentally or physically, and subsequently underwent surgery on a knee injury....