Edin Dzeko, the legendary Bosnian striker, has confirmed his retirement from international football, marking the end of a distinguished career that spanned nearly 20 years. The 40-year-old Schalke 04 forward, whose career has included stints at elite clubs such as Manchester City, AS Roma, and Inter Milan, announced that his final appearance for the national team will take place on October 2 against Sweden in the Nations League.
Reflecting on his journey, Dzeko shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, stating that representing his country was a childhood dream he lived out 151 times. He noted that while much has evolved since his 2007 debut against Turkiye, his dedication to the national jersey remained constant. “Nothing in my career has ever compared to the pride I have felt every single time I wore that shirt,” he wrote, adding that reaching the age of 40 in the national setup was only possible because he gave everything he had in every match.
Dzeko leaves behind a monumental legacy, holding the record as Bosnia’s most-capped player and all-time leading goalscorer with 73 goals. His influence on the national team was pivotal, notably helping the country secure qualification for their first-ever World Cup in 2014. More recently, he played a central role in the squad’s 2026 World Cup campaign, where the team successfully reached the tournament’s last 32. The report also notes that “So many things have changed, and I have changed too, but my love for this shirt never has.
