Johnny Sexton issued a heartfelt statement on social media on Thursday to mark his retirement.
The 38-year-old steps away from professional rugby after an illustrious career, which saw him represent Ireland 119 times and become his country's highest ever points scorer.
With Ireland's heartbreaking World Cup quarter-final defeat to New Zealand, Sexton's career came to a bittersweet end, and he acknowledged the pain of his rugby career's conclusion in his retirement statement.
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Johnny Sexton issues retirement statement
Johnny Sexton shared a post to Instagram on Thursday afternoon officially confirming his retirement and thanking those who had helped him during his 17-year pro career.
View this post on Instagram
Sexton said that the decision to step away was only made more difficult by the events at the World Cup in France, and said that leaving behind the "best group" was what made retirement so tough.
He thanked his coaches, teammates, and friends, and made special mention of his wife Laura and children Luca, Amy, and Sophie.
The statement in full read:
Retirement is never an easy next step for any professional athlete. It is especially hard after the rollercoaster of emotions from the last few weeks in France.
The sadness and frustration we couldn't progress further remain, they will for a long time to come but the overarching feeling is the pride I felt playing with such a committed and talented group of players. The best group I have been lucky enough to be a part of......on and off the pitch. Leaving these players and these coaches is what is making retirement so tough.
I've said it many times before but there's no feeling like playing in front of a home Irish crowd and that's what it felt like in Bordeaux, Nantes and in Paris on those three special Saturdays.
I want to thank my teammates, both for Leinster and Ireland, for everything they have given to me. The last season was one of the most enjoyable of my career and it makes it even more special to do so with people you care about, friends who will stay a part of my life in the future.
To all the teachers, coaches, support staff and all those who encouraged and supported my career starting out in Bective, St. Mary's College, club and school, for over 30 years, thank you for everything.
To the supporters of Leinster, Racing, the British & Irish Lions and Ireland - with whom I was proud to share my journey - thank you for your faith and unwavering support.
To my family, my parents, brothers and sister who nurtured my love of the game and instilled my drive, I couldn't have made this journey without you.
Finally to my wife Laura and our children, your unconditional love helped inspire me through the ups and downs of life and I am incredibly excited about our next chapter together. By far my proudest moments were getting to play with my kids watching on.
Johnny Sexton shared a special moment with son Luca on the pitch in the immediate aftermath of defeat to New Zealand earlier this month. The moments after that All Black game also saw him share an embrace with All Blacks coach Joe Schmidt, who coached Sexton with both Leinster and Ireland for almost a decade between 2010 and 2019.
It remains to be seen what steps Sexton will take next, though it is expected he will move into a business career with Ardagh Group. Separate reports in recent weeks had suggested that top Japanese teams had attempted to lure Sexton out of retirement with big money offers, and that he may be considered for a coaching role with Ireland in the months to come.
Johnny Sexton retires as a 119-times capped Ireland player and, with 1,108 points to his name at test level, his country's greatest ever scorer.
Over the course of his 17-year career he won four Heineken Cups, four Six Nations Championships (including two Grand Slams), six Pro14 titles, a European Challenge Cup, and six test caps for the British and Irish Lions. He was also crowned World Player of the Year in 2018.
A true great of Irish sport steps away.
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