England Women’s ace Millie Bright described her decision to miss the Women’s Euros as the best decision she has ever made in her career.

Dominant defender Bright was not part of the squad that successfully defended the championship they won four years prior, with the Lionesses securing a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Spain in the final in Basel.

The 32-year-old had just completed a campaign in which she captained Chelsea to a domestic treble.

She described how she felt on the verge of a “breakdown” and Bright, who also made the World Cup final with the Lionesses two years ago, explained the thought process behind what she admits was a tough, but ultimately correct, decision on a personal level.

“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.”

We’re all with you, Millie. pic.twitter.com/7luibI0R12

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) June 4, 2025

Bright, who has 202 Women’s Super League appearances to her name, more than any other active player in the competition, has undergone knee surgery in the close season and begun having counselling sessions.

She stated how she now feels in a much better place to continue enjoying success in a stellar career.

“If there are problems, I have to fix them,” she explained. “I have to take care of people, I have to make sure my team-mates are able to give their best.

“So when you are in that leadership role you do have to give to other people, but you also have to have a little bit left to make sure you are still doing what you need to do.

“By the end of it, I had nothing left to give, I was unhappy. I am loud, bubbly, energetic and spontaneous. I felt like I had lost that and really lost myself.”