Coveny, 37, has 64 caps for the All-Whites and was described by Phoenix boss Ricki Herbert as a ‘fantastic ambassador’ and excellent professional who has ‘touched a lot of people’s hearts.’

“To be honest it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do,” the veteran striker said of telling his teammates about his decision to call time on a glittering career.

“To stand in front of such a special group of players and coaches and say thanks to everyone and to tell them I was ending my career was very emotional.

"I didn’t expect to get so teary-eyed, frankly. But I think it’s a good thing to show your emotions and all the guys had tears in their eyes when we got together, shook hands and they wished me the best.

“That was a marvellous tribute, to have my fellow players pay me such respect. I’m hugely thankful for that.”

He added: “It was time for me to move on.

"I haven’t had a lot of opportunities this year and I haven’t made the sort of contribution I would have liked. It was a gut feeling that it was the right move for me and the club.

"I’ve got some other avenues I’d like to go down, like getting into coaching, because I’m still young enough to pursue some new things."

Herbert paid tribute to the star's ’17 years of graft and determination’ and his athleticism ‘that has carried him through the years.’

Although Coveny was bringing down the curtain on his career, he told today's press conference he’d miss the camaraderie and mixing it with the boys’ and the feeling he got from playing top-level football.

Shane Smeltz, Coveny’s strike partner at both club and international level, described the former South Melbourne star as ‘a tough guy, a gentleman...a true professional’ and someone he looked up to while growing up in Australia.

Smeltz also said the Phoenix players were ‘privileged to be alongside him.’

Coveny said the highlights of his career were his 300 games for South Melbourne, including going to the World Club Championships, and his 64 games for his country, for which he is also the highest scorer with 28 goals.

When asked about his future plans, he said that he wants to get involved in youth coaching and will return to Melbourne eventually, after taking some time out with his family.

"Right now my family is the biggest consideration," he said. "Now I’ll be able to spend a lot more time with my wife and two children and that’s something I’m really looking forward to.

“It was also important for me to also make the decision on my own terms. I always wanted to make the decision myself and not be pushed, and I wasn’t.

"I give a lot of credit to Ricki Herbert because he showed a lot of faith in me when he brought me to the club. I was an older player and people where asking ‘why are you bringing him?’

"But Ricki stood by me and believed in me, as did (Phoenix owner) Terry Serepisos, who has done wonderful things for Wellington, New Zealand and the game.”

He said Wellington Phoenix need a youth team to assist ‘some promising players in the under 20s and under 23s who need game time with older players.’

Wellington fans may get a chance to say farewell to one of their favourite sons during the game against Adelaide on Sunday evening, with Troy Hearfield unavailable to Ricki Herbert through suspension.