Bosnian football icon Edin Dzeko has confirmed he will retire from international duty next month, concluding a storied career that has spanned nearly 20 years. The 40-year-old Schalke 04 forward, whose professional journey has included stints at Manchester City, AS Roma, and Inter Milan, announced that his final appearance for the national team will take place during the Nations League match against Sweden on October 2.
Reflecting on his tenure, Dzeko expressed deep gratitude on Instagram, stating, “Nothing in my career has ever compared to the pride I have felt every single time I wore that shirt.” He noted that representing his country was a childhood dream he lived out across 151 international caps. Recalling his debut against Turkiye nearly two decades ago, the veteran striker emphasized that while much has changed, his dedication to the national side remained constant. “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,” he added.
Dzeko leaves the international stage as Bosnia’s most-capped player and its all-time leading goalscorer, having netted 73 goals since his 2007 debut. Throughout his career, he was instrumental in the team’s historic rise, helping Bosnia qualify for their first-ever World Cup in 2014. He also played a pivotal role in the 2026 tournament, where the squad successfully advanced to the 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.
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