Edin Džeko will end his nearly 20-year career with the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team following an upcoming match against Sweden on October 2, sportklub.hr reported. The veteran striker, affectionately known across the region as the “Bosnian Diamond,” will make his final appearance for the Zmajevi at Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica.
The Final Chapter in Zenica
The October 2 fixture marks the conclusion of an international tenure that began in 2007. Sportklub.hr reported that half a million people expressed a desire to witness Džeko’s farewell appearance in Zenica, where packed stands are expected to honor the nation’s all-time appearance leader and goalscorer. Džeko holds the national record with 151 official appearances, 73 goals, and over 30 assists for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The forward’s journey with the national team spans two decades, highlighted by historic milestones. Džeko scored 10 goals during the qualification campaign to guide Bosnia and Herzegovina to their first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance at the 2014 tournament in Brazil. He also featured for the squad during subsequent qualifying cycles, cementing his status as the central leader and motivator of the side.
From Besieged Sarajevo to European Stardom
Džeko’s path to football prominence began during his childhood in besieged Sarajevo. When the war in BiH began in 1992, Džeko was six years old. In an interview cited by sportklub.hr, Džeko reflected on a childhood shaped by conflict, recalling how his mother kept him from playing football outside shortly before a falling shell killed his childhood friends.
Despite the hardships and early skepticism regarding his mobility and playing style, Džeko signed for FK Željezničar at age 18. His career subsequently took him across Europe’s top leagues. He played for Wolfsburg, Manchester City in the Premier League, AS Roma and Inter Milan in Serie A, and later stints with Fiorentina, Fenerbahçe, and Schalke. At his peak, his market value reached €32 million, and he became the first player to score at least 50 goals in the English Premier League, the German Bundesliga, and the Italian Serie A.
Reflecting on a Historic Legacy
Reflecting on his career in an interview with The Guardian referenced by sportklub.hr, Džeko emphasized his enduring passion for the sport despite the trials of his youth. “I couldn’t breathe without football, even during the war, but I never thought I would become a star,” Džeko said. “I wanted to play football because of my love for the game. And it is still like that today.”
Sportklub.hr noted that Džeko expressed particular pride in leading his country to the global stage, despite the difficulties faced during the 2014 World Cup group stage in Brazil, where an unrewarded goal against Nigeria contributed to an early exit. Now, at 41 years old and continuing to play at a high level in the Bundesliga, the striker prepares to step away from international football.
When Is Edin Džeko's Final Match?
When is Edin Džeko’s final match for Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Džeko will play his last international match against Sweden on October 2 at Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica.
What are Edin Džeko’s career statistics for the national team?
He holds the national record with 151 official appearances, 73 goals, and over 30 assists since his debut in 2007.
Which major tournaments did Džeko reach with the Zmajevi?
Džeko led Bosnia and Herzegovina to their first FIFA World Cup appearance in Brazil in 2014, scoring 10 goals in qualifying.
What did Džeko say about his retirement decision?
In a statement reported by sportklub.hr, Džeko confirmed, “Protiv Švedske ću 2. listopada odigrati svoju iduću i posljednju utakmicu za našu reprezentaciju. Ništa se u mojoj karijeri ne može mjeriti s ponosom koji sam osjećao svaki put kad bih obukao taj dres. Apsolutno ništa.”
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