Gisele Bündchen supports husband Tom Brady after he announces his retirement from NFL

Gisele Bündchen took to Instagram Tuesday with a supportive message for her husband Tom Brady after he announced his retirement from the NFL after 22 years in the league.

The Brazilian supermodel, 41, wrote to her 18.5 million followers, 'What a ride @tombrady! So many memories!'

She continued, 'When I met you over 15 years ago, I didn’t know the first thing about football. But cheering for you and seeing you do what you love most made me learn about this wonderful game to the point that I seriously believed I knew more than the referees!

The latest: Gisele Bündchen, 41, took to Instagram with a supportive message for her husband Tom Brady, 44, after he announced his retirement from the NFL after 22 years in the league

'We always had a special champions playlist for every drive on our way to the game. As a family, we always prayed for you, celebrated and supported you in every game, cheered every win and suffered with every loss.'

Bündchen said she was 'so proud of' Brady and everything he 'had to overcome physically and emotionally over the years.'

'I am in awe of your dedication, and of everything you have achieved. You love what you do, and you leave behind a legacy that is a beautiful example for future generations.'

Bündchen called her spouse 'the most dedicated, focused and mentally tough person' she's ever met.

Bündchen shared an image of Brady holding the Super Bowl trophy last year after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Kansas City Chiefs 

The quarterback shared a hug with family after his Super Bowl win last year 

The Brazilian beauty posed with Brady on the field in 2019 after Brady led his New England Patriots to a victory over the Los Angeles Rams 

The famed quarterback posed on the field with his daughter Vivian 

'You never once complained over the years about all the bruises and aches and pains,' she wrote. 'You just kept focusing on your goal to go out there and be the best leader there was to all your teammates.'

Bündchen continued: 'I know how excited you are about the next chapter of your life. Watching you work so hard in your football career and seeing the dedication you are now putting into all your new endeavors is incredibly inspiring.

'There is nothing you can’t achieve. I have always been here for you, you know that, and I’m as excited as you are for what the future holds!'

Brady posed at the center of a family shot during his time with the Pats

Bündchen posed with family and friends all sporting tops with Brady's name and number 

Brady's ex Bridget Moynahan, 50, also took to social media to congratulate Brady on his past and wish him well in the future

Moynahan was snapped at an event in New York City in December 

Bündchen wrapped up in saying, 'Words can’t really express how grateful I am to everyone who has been so supportive of my husband and our family for so many years,' signing off in saying, 'With all my love, Gisele.'

Bündchen also shared shots of Brady posed with family during different his stints with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New England Patriots.

The 5ft11 stunner shares two kids, 12-year-old son Benjamin and nine-year-old daughter Vivian, with Brady, and is stepmom to Tom's 14-year-old son with actress Bridget Moynahan, John Edward Thomas Moynahan.

Moynahan also took to social media to congratulate Brady on his past and wish him well in the future.

Brady announced his retirement on Tuesday, taking to social media to confirm his exit from the league

Brady won his first Super Bowl in 2002 as a member of the New England Patriots

'So proud of @tombrady,' the Blue Bloods actress, 50, said Tuesday. 'Yesterday and today and I know you will do great things tomorrow. Looking forward to the next steps.'

Brady announced his retirement on Tuesday, taking to social media to confirm his exit from the league.

'This is difficult for me to write, but here it goes: I am not going to make that competitive commitment anymore,' Brady said. 'I have loved my NFL career, and now it is time to focus my time and energy on other things that require my attention.'

He added: 'Right now, it's best I leave the field of play to the next generation of dedicated and committed athletes.'

Brady leaves the game after a standout season in which he led the league in passing yards (5,316) and touchdowns (43), leading his team to the divisional round in the playoffs, where the Bucs lost to the Los Angeles Rams.

He's the only player to have won more than five Super Bowls, and is a five-time Super Bowl MVP. He also holds the NFL marks in passing touchdowns (624) and yards (84,520). The 15-time Pro Bowler leaves with a 243-73 regular season record and 35-12 record in the playoffs.