Dirk Nowitzki closed out his Dallas Mavericks career with a feat that will probably never be replicated. The German played 21 years in the NBA all with the same franchise.

However, the Mavs icon has now admitted that there is some regret in extending his playing career beyond two decades. In a recent sit-down with German football star Toni Kroos' podcast, Dirk Nowitzki opened up about wishing he had retired two years earlier than he did.

“I keep thinking whether the last two years in the NBA were really worth it,” admitted the Mavs legend. “Of course there were highlights, but we didn't perform well on the court, and I couldn't even really move anymore. If I had quit two years earlier, I could probably move better today and play soccer with the kids sometimes. I can't do all that now.”

Dirk Nowitzki retired after the 2018-19 season, overlapping for one campaign with current Mavs franchise cornerstone Luka Doncic who was in his rookie season. The 21-year milestone also got him past Kobe Bryant for the most seasons with one franchise after the Lakers star retired with exactly 20 seasons in purple and gold.

While those were a few of the highlights Dirk mentioned, the long-term effects may not have been worth it for him in the end. Dirk Nowitzki would have been worshipped all the same by Mavs fans and respected by all NBA observers even if he retired two years earlier.