Barcelona and Brazil icon Ronaldinho on Wednesday called time on a glittering career, ending a journey that began at the turn of the millenniaum and the 37-year-old had a special post for all his Intagram followers to mark the momentous day.

Obrigado Sr. meu Deus, por esta vida que me deste, família, amigos e minha primeira profissão!!! Após quase três décadas dedicadas ao futebol, me despeço do meu maior sonho, sonho realizado!!! Fiz o que mais amei profissionalmente por 20 anos, e 10 como formação de base. Vivi intensamente este sonho de criança, cada instante, viagens, vitórias, derrotas, a resenha, hino nacional, a caminhada no túnel, vestiário, entrada em campo, as chuteiras que usei, as bolas boas e ruins, homenagens que ganhei, os craques que joguei, os que admirei e joguei e os que só joguei no play, mas admiro até hoje! Enfim tudo foi incrível!!! Meu pai e minha família me apoiaram muito pra chegar até aqui, foi um trabalho em equipe. Chegamos ao fim da primeira etapa com uma história bonita pra contar… Vocês me conhecem, e sabem bem que sou tímido e não tenho o costume de falar muito, mas tenho que dizer a vocês muito obrigado, de coração, de alma lavada, pois fiz o que amo com a ajuda de todos, treinadores, preparadores, comissões inteiras, dirigentes, torcida a favor e contra, o motorista do ônibus, o roupeiro, o gandula, o árbitro e a imprensa. Obrigado, construímos juntos esta história, sem vocês nada seria possível… No mês de março faremos um anúncio de como será esta despedida e os próximos passos. Por enquanto, aqui vai meu muito obrigado ⚽. Aquela frase famosa “gracias vieja” por ser a minha fonte de inspiração por tanto tempo e companheiros de muitas vitórias!!! Obrigado a todos pelas mensagens e carinho!!! Um abraço forte, fui muito feliz fazendo deste esporte a minha vida e profissão.

A post shared by Ronaldo de Assis Moreira (@ronaldinho) on Jan 17, 2018 at 3:47pm PST

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The lengthy post, when translated, reads:

“Thank you, My God, for this live you gave me, family, friends and my first profession!

After almost three decades dedicated to football, I say goodbye to my greatest dream, a dream that came true!

 I did what I loved most professional for 20 years and 10 as basic training. I lived intensely, this dream of a child, every moment, travel, victories, defeats, the review, National Anthem, the walk in the tunnel, entry in the field, the cleats I used, the good and bad balls, tribes that I won, the stars that I played with and against, ones I admired and do so till today!

Anyway everything was amazing!

My father and my family supported me a lot to get here, it was a team job. We come to the end of the first stage with a beautiful story to tell…you know me and you know well that I am shy and an not accustomed to talking much, but I have to tell you thank you very much, from the heart, because I did what I love with the help of all, coaches, whole federations, leaders, twisted for and against, the bus driver, the closet, the ball, the referee and the press.

Thank you, we built this together, without you nothing would be possible … in the month of March we will make an announcement of what this farewell and the next steps will be.

From now, here goes my thank you.

That famous phrase ‘gracias vieja’ for being my source of inspiration for so long and companions of many victories! Thank you for all the messages and affection! A strong hug, I was very happy making this sport my life and profession.”

Ronaldinho, who won the Ballon d’Or in 2005 whilst starring for Barcelona, had become a journeyman in the final stages of his career. The toothy superstar, who won the World Cup with Brazil and the UEFA Champions League with Barcelona, had been unable to find a club since departing Brazilian side Fluminense in 2015.

The 37-year-old had been playing exhibition matches for the past two years and his post upon officially retiring hints at something special to come in March and while a tryst with management cannot be ruled out, it is unlikely that he will be donning a tracksuit anytime soon.

Considering he is already a club ambassador for Barcelona, he could perhaps take a larger role at the Nou Camp or could focus entirely on his football academies.