By Can Erozden
ANKARA (AA) - Argentine football player Maxi Rodriguez on Saturday announced retirement from the game.
"The moment that I never thought would arrive finally came, or that moment that as a football player we don’t want to get to. The moment of closing my career as a professional,” Rodriguez said on Instagram.
Newell's Old Boys' experienced winger Rodriguez, 40, previously played for Spain's Atletico Madrid and English powerhouse Liverpool.
"It is a very difficult decision to make, but at the same time, I am very calm with it. There were many years of my career and I think I gave myself to the fullest and I completely emptied myself. I have nothing more to give," he added.
Rodriguez won the 2012 English League Cup with Liverpool.
His current club Newell's Old Boys thanked Rodriguez for his service for the Argentine club.
"Happy retirement, Maxi!" Atletico Madrid tweeted.
Former Argentina midfielder Rodriguez scored 173 goals and produced 51 assists in 610 club appearances.
He played for the Argentine national team in 2006, 2010, and 2014 FIFA World Cup tournaments.
Rodriguez helped Argentina reach the 2014 final, but Germany beat the South American giants 1-0 to claim the World Cup trophy in Brazil's Maracana Stadium.