WATCH: Manu Ginobili bids emotional farewell to fans in Argentina

CORDOBA, Argentina – Manu Ginobili bid an emotional farewell to his home fans Monday night as the Argentinian national basketball team played its final exhibition game before the Olympic Games begin in Brazil.

Argentina defeated the French national team 86-79 in Cordoba in what was presumably Ginobili’s final international game playing in front of fans his home country.

Argentine newspaper La Nacion reported Ginobili spoke to the crowd after the game while holding back tears.

He told DirecTV Sport (in Spanish translated to English via Google Translate):  

“The truth is that we are very proud to have generated what we generate, and we just thank you all. We are very happy to continue after all this time representing the country," said Ginobili in his speech to the fans.

Ginobili’s first major competition with Argentina was in the 2002 FIBA World Championships, where he led the Argentine squad to a silver medal.

Argentina went on to win the gold medal two years later at the Olympics in Athens.

Argentina’s run to the gold included a victory in the semifinals against a United States team with Ginobili’s Spurs teammate Tim Duncan on the roster.

It was a crowning achievement for the country and solidified Ginobili’s place among the country’s sports legends.

Ginobili and Argentina’s “Golden Generation” team remained competitive in the international game for years to come, winning the bronze medal in 2008 in Beijing. 

Ginobili competed in the 2012 Olympics in London and is preparing for this month’s competition in Rio de Janeiro.

Argentina will open its Olympic run on Aug. 9 against Croatia.