Millie Bright believes missing Euros was the best decision for her following her decision to skip the tournament.
“By far the best decision I have ever made” was Millie Bright’s withdrawal from the England squad for Euro 2025.
The 32-year-old defender, who made 36 appearances for Chelsea during the season and helped them win a domestic triple, stated that she would not be ready to “give 100% mentally or physically” in the tournament.
With 88 England caps, Bright was a mainstay in the team that won Euro 2022 and led Sarina Wiegman’s team to the World Cup final the following year.
She disclosed that although Chelsea was vying for major trophies, she had been disregarding persistent problems. However, Bright knew she needed a break and was unable to play in the Lionesses’ title defence in Switzerland following their FA Cup victory over Manchester United.
“You get into that mindset where nothing comes between what it takes to win,” she told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Women’s Football Weekly podcast. “It’s like an engine, you just keep going.
“When the season ended, when you finally allow yourself to relax it hits you and I was like, ‘I just need to take a minute otherwise I am on the verge of a breakdown’.
“For the first time in a long time I figured out where I was at mentally and I couldn’t even think about the Euros. That was a big indicator that I needed to back off a little bit and just breathe. For the first time I made a decision for me and not to please other people.
“Taking the decision in the summer was by far the best decision I have ever made and one that I am actually really proud of because it is not easy by any means.”