Ending a 17-Year International Career

Legendary Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko has confirmed he will retire from international football next month, according to Al Jazeera; the 40-year-old Schalke 04 forward will make his final appearance for the national team on October 2 in a Nations League match against Sweden.

A Career of Milestones and Accolades

Dzeko, who has played for clubs including Manchester City, AS Roma, and Inter Milan, said in an Instagram post that his international career was a childhood dream realized. He has made 151 appearances for Bosnia, scoring 73 goals, making him the country’s most-capped player and all-time leading scorer.

“Nothing in my career has ever compared to the pride I have felt every single time I wore that shirt,” Dzeko wrote on Instagram. “It was my childhood dream, a dream I carried with me on each of the 151 occasions I had the honour of representing my country on a football pitch.”

He added that almost 20 years have passed since his debut match against Turkiye; “So many things have changed, and I have changed too, but my love for this shirt never has. Now I feel the time has come to step aside,” he said.

Dzeko made his international debut in 2007 and has played a key role in major tournaments for Bosnia; he helped the country qualify for their first World Cup in 2014 and contributed significantly to the 2026 tournament, where they reached the last 32.

“If I have made it to the age of 40 with the national team, it is because I truly gave everything I had. Every time. Everything,” Dzeko said in his statement, reflecting on his international career.

Legacy and Impact on Bosnian Football

Dzeko’s international career has spanned nearly two decades, and his contributions have been central in the development of Bosnian football on the global stage, while his goal record and appearances place him among the most significant players in the country’s history.

As he prepares for his final match, Dzeko leaves behind a legacy of dedication and excellence, while his impact on the field and his emotional connection to the national team have inspired a new generation of players and fans alike.