A fan favourite, Ball announced on Monday he would be leaving the club despite having six months remaining on his contract.
The 35-year-old English forward was frozen out of the main squad under Giancarlo Italiano this season, featuring only in one match across their opening 11 fixtures.
"This has been a tough process. I didn't expect it to obviously finish in this sense," Ball said on Monday.
"I've been fit for the last four months. I've been training every day, working really hard on getting my fitness levels up and being ready to be called upon.
"I'm a big boy. I've been around a lot of discussions in my life, and I understand that the manager makes the decision at the end of the day.
"You can't change that as much as you want to."
Football boss Shaun Gill admitted the mutual termination of Ball's contract was largely driven by the need to free up an import spot ahead of the January transfer window opening on Thursday.
"'Chiefy' (Italiano) decided that he wanted to go in a different direction, so we had that conversation with 'Bally'," Gill said.
"The first time it was raised was towards the beginning of the season."
Starting his professional career in the same year the Phoenix were founded, Ball arrived at the club in 2019 and enjoyed a late-career rival in Wellington.
He is one of just 16 men to have played 100 domestic league matches for the club, featuring in four finals series across his five campaigns and scoring 15 goals and providing 26 assists across all competitions.
David Ball (c) played in four finals series in his time with the Phoenix. (Rob Prezioso/AAP PHOTOS)
Ball famously played through the pain of a ligament tear on his big toe for weeks as the Phoenix chased silverware in 2022.
"It's tough to digest," Ball said.
"It's been probably the six best years of my career in terms of experience.
"I've loved every minute of being at the football club.
"We've obviously created a lot of history as well so I feel like I've left the club in a better place.
"There's been a few tears, saying goodbyes to everyone."
Ball intends to take a break from the game before deciding on his playing future and hasn't completely ruled out returning to the 'Nix in a coaching capacity.
Wellington will assist Ball in the running of his coaching program, the David Ball Academy, as part of the mutual termination of his contract.
Phoenix captain Alex Rufer paid tribute to his teammate and thanked him for his contributions, with Gill and general manager David Dome hailing Ball as a club legend.
The Phoenix host an in-form Sydney FC outfit on Wednesday at home as they attempt to bounce back from a 2-1 loss to Adelaide United.
34°C