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England defender Bright rules herself out of Women's Euros

England defender Bright rules herself out of Women's Euros

France 244 days ago

The 31-year-old, who captained the Lionesses to their first World Cup final in 2023, last week pulled out of Sarina Wiegman's Nations League squad to take an "extended period of recovery".
"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," the Chelsea captain posted on Instagram.
"Football has given me so much, and representing my country has always been my greatest honour. My pride and ego tells me to go but I think the team and the fans deserve more. Right now I am not able to give 100 percent mentally or physically.
"As much as I want to be out there running through brick walls for England and fighting alongside my teammates, stepping back is the right thing for my health, my future in the game and most importantly the team."
Bright said it would not be fair to take the place of another player "who is ready and able to give everything for the badge and country".
The centre-back, capped 88 times for England, won a domestic treble with Chelsea during the 2024/25 season.
Her withdrawal follows the shock international retirement of goalkeeper Mary Earps and the announcement on Tuesday that playmaker Fran Kirby was calling time on her England career after learning she was unlikely to make Wiegman's squad for the Euros in Switzerland.
All three started every game when England secured their first major silverware at their home Euros in 2022.
The Lionesses were knocked out of the Nations League with a 2-1 group-stage defeat to Spain on Tuesday.
Wiegman is expected to announce her squad for the Euros on Thursday, with their title defence beginning on July 5 against France.
Current and former England teammates offered their support in the comments section of Bright's post, including England and Arsenal forward Chloe Kelly, who wrote "proud of you always", while Aston Villa striker Rachel Daly said: "Couldn't be more proud. With you through EVERYTHING my girl."

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