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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Suzanne Wrack in Zurich

‘I want to put socks on without being in pain’: Millie Bright on missing Euro 2025

England’s Millie Bright arrives for the Women’s Nations League group game against Belgium in April 2025
England’s Millie Bright arrives for the Women’s Nations League group game against Belgium in April 2025. Photograph: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK/Shutterstock

“There’s more than just England under consideration when it came to that decision,” said Millie Bright on stepping away from the Lionesses ahead of their European title defence. “There’s me being able to walk down the stairs after I’ve played 90 minutes of football, there’s me in the future when I have children being able to walk around properly, being able to bend down and pick up toys, there’s me being able to do normal life things like put on socks without being in pain and, for the first time in a long time, I genuinely didn’t think about the response of the public because that just wasn’t a priority.”

Chelsea’s Bright was discussing her decision to step back from this summer’s Euros for her mental and physical health with the former England international and close friend Rachel Daly. The pair have recently launched a podcast that leans into the chemistry they have as friends.

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