Before an enthusiastic home crowd in Chicago where he first declared victory in 2008, Obama began by listing just a few of his administration’s achievements.

“If I have told you eight years ago, that America would reverse a great recession […]

“If I had told you, that we would open up a new chapter with the Cuban people, shut down Iran’s nuclear weapons program without firing a shot, take out the mastermind of 9/11 […]

If I had told you all that, you might have said our sights were set a little too high. But that’s what we did. America’s a better, stronger place than it was when we started.”

At the end of his speech Obama returned to his well known mantra:

“I am asking you to believe, not in my ability to bring about change but in yours. Yes, we can.

“Yes, we did. Yes, we can. Thank You. God bless you.”

Obama finished on an emotional note thanking his wife Michelle and Vice President Joe Biden and his family for their support.

Obama has indicated he will give President-elect Trump the same space that his predecessor President George W. Bush gave him after leaving office by not maintaining a high profile.

Donald Trump will be sworn into office on January 20. (Euronews)