Millie Vivid: Former Lionesses captain broadcasts international retirement | Football

Former England captain Millie Vivid has announced her retirement from international duty on the age of 32.

Vivid missed the Lionesses’ triumph at Euro 2025 after making herself unavailable for selection as a result of mental and physical burnout.

The Chelsea captain has returned to motion at club level this season, playing every minute of the primary seven games of the campaign for Sonia Bompastor’s side.

Nonetheless, the centre-back has now announced she’s going to not be making a return to the national team set-up, as she announced her retirement on her podcast with former England team-mate Rachel Daly.

Vivid made her England debut against Belgium in September 2016 and went on to win 82 caps for the national side.

She formed a formidable centre-back partnership with Arsenal’s Leah Williamson, starting every game as England won the European Champions in 2022 at Wembley.

Vivid then stepped as much as captain the team when Williamson was injured for the World Cup the next 12 months, leading the Lionesses all of the technique to the ultimate, which they eventually lost to Spain.

‘I’ve been weighing this up for a very long time. It’s one in all those decisions nobody could make for you. It’s a sense and I’m at peace with it,’ she said on The Rest Is Football: Daly Brightness.

‘Having the summer to reflect, fix my knee, and get my head straight really put things into perspective. As you grow old, your priorities change. I’ve been craving family time, time with friends, and time for myself.

‘I’ve at all times played through every injury I’ve ever had, but I got to a stage where I needed to make smart decisions and take care of my physical and mental health. But listen, I’m retiring from international football.

‘I’m incredibly proud and honoured to have played for England for therefore long. Each cap has been special and the memories I’ve made, especially with this one sat opposite me, have been a few of the most effective of my life. But yeah, it’s time. It’s the proper time for me to call it a day with England.’

Explaining her decision further, Vivid said: ‘It felt right. Physically, I’m at that crossroads – can I be 50% for every, for England and for Chelsea? I would like to be all in.

‘To present myself the most effective probability of doing that and be the most effective for my club, I probably must rein it in a little bit bit.

‘I’m really pleased with my England profession and just wish to say a large thanks to everyone to your support – especially over the summer. It’s never a straightforward decision, however it appears like the proper one.’

England manager Sarina Wiegman said: ‘Millie will ceaselessly be an England legend for what she has given to her country, and I could never have enough words to praise her impact during my time.

‘Whether she had the armband or not, she is a real leader. I understand how much respect there may be for Millie inside the game – not simply because she has won so many trophies but due to the best way she conducts herself.

‘She has made such a giant contribution to English football each on and off the pitch and all of us have rather a lot to thank her for. Regardless that her playing time with the Lionesses could also be over, I do know she has so way more to offer the sport.’

The FA said it has plans to honour Vivid’s contribution to England ahead of a future Lionesses international.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the most recent news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

MORE: Cole Palmer vs Florian Wirtz: Granit Xhaka names the higher player of the 2

MORE: ‘He has quality’ – Zinedine Zidane praises Arsenal and Chelsea’s £84m transfer goal

MORE: The one transfer Chelsea will ‘regret’ as Arsenal reap rewards