"They were incredible years of this story. Years marked by learnings, unique moments, and countless memories that will be eternal in my heart," said the former forward of Chinese club Hebei Fortune in a letter he published on his social media.

"Forever grateful to all who accompanied me on this journey. With much emotion, I say goodbye to the most beautiful stage that life gave me. I was very happy, a hug," says the text published in Spanish and English.

Lavezzi debuted at Estudiantes de Buenos Aires in 2013 and in 2014 he moved to San Lorenzo.

Between 2007 and 2012, he played for Napoli and then for Paris Saint-Germain until 2016 when he signed for Hebei Fortune.

With Argentina, he won the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and was runner-up in the 2014 Brazil World Cup, and the 2015 and 2016 Copa América in Chile and the United States, respectively.

With San Lorenzo, he won the 2007 Clausura Tournament, with Napoli the 2012 Coppa Italia, and then obtained 12 more titles with Paris Saint-Germain.

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) shared Lavezzi's letter on Twitter and thanked him "for everything."

The 'Pocho' came through the youth ranks at Rosario Central, and the club's president recently assured that they would try to sign him when Lavezzi declared that he was considering retirement.

"If he is okay and wants to... Central needs him, but today he trains and goes straight to the treatment table for two or three hours. The truth is that he is suffering a lot from the pain," said his brother, Diego Lavezzi, to the press.