San Antonio Spurs veteran guard Ginobili retires

NBA team San Antonio Spurs' Argentine guard Manu Ginobili announced on Monday the end of his 23-year professional basketball career.

San Antonio Spurs said on its website Ginobili, 41, has retired from basketball.

Four-time NBA Champion, Ginobili ended his 16-year career with San Antonio Spurs.

He won the NBA title in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014. Ginobili was also named NBA All-Star in 2005 and 2011.

"Today, with a wide range of feelings, I'm announcing my retirement from basketball. Immense gratitude to everyone (family, friends, teammates, coaches, staff, fans) involved in my life in the last 23 years. It's been a fabulous journey. Way beyond my wildest dreams," Ginobili said on Twitter.

Meanwhile, Spurs posted a video on Twitter and thanked him in Spanish, "#GraciasManu por todo!" (Thank you Manu for everything!).

Ginobili has appeared in 218 career playoff games at Spurs, where he averaged 14 points, 4 rebounds, 3.8 assists in 27.9 minutes.

Before his 16-year spell at Spurs, Ginobili played in Argentina and Italy.

Ginobili has also played for Argentine National Basketball Team from 1998 to 2016 as he led his country to the gold medal in the 2004 Olympics held in Greek capital Athens.