England defender Millie Bright has withdrawn from selection for Euro 2025, announcing her decision on Instagram just one day before Sarina Wiegman names her 23-player squad for the tournament in Switzerland.
The 31-year-old Chelsea captain stated she was unable to "give 100% mentally or physically" in her social media post on Wednesday.
"This is one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make, but after careful thought and discussions with my team, I have decided to withdraw from selection for the England squad ahead of Euro 2025," Bright wrote.
The European Championships begin in the first week of July.
Millie Bright has announced her decision to withdraw from Euro 2025 selection this summer
PA/Instagram
"Football has given me so much, and representing my country has always been my greatest honour," she added in her statement.
My pride and ego tells me to go but I think the team and the fans deserve more. Right now, I'm not able to give 100 per cent mentally or physically."
She added: "As much as I want to be out there running through brick walls for England and fighting alongside my team mates, stepping back is the right thing for my health, my future in the game and most importantly the team."
The defender said it would not be "fair to take the place" of another player who could "give everything for the badge and country."
Bright's withdrawal represents another significant setback for England's title defence, coming within a week of former goalkeeper Mary Earps and midfielder Fran Kirby announcing their international retirements.
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Earps retired after being informed by Wiegman that she had been replaced by Hannah Hampton as England's number one goalkeeper.
Kirby ended her international career on Tuesday night after learning she would not make the Euro 2025 squad.
The trio accumulated 218 England caps between them, leaving considerable experience gaps in the Lionesses squad as they prepare to defend their 2022 European Championship crown in Switzerland this summer.
Bright had already made herself unavailable for England's final camp before the tournament, missing Nations League matches against Portugal and Spain.
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Millie Bright captained the Lionesses at the 2023 World Cup, where they reached the final before losing to Spain
PA
The Football Association cited "an extended period of recovery" as the official reason for her absence.
Speaking on a podcast with former England teammate Rachel Daly last week, Bright revealed she was "mentally and physically at my limits" and emphasised that "you need to value yourself and your mental health and body."
The 88-cap international captained the Lionesses at the 2023 World Cup final defeat to Spain in Leah Williamson's absence and was a key figure in England's triumphant 2022 Euros campaign at Wembley.
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