Edin Dzeko to Retire from International Football

Edin Dzeko, the veteran captain of Bosnia and Herzegovina, has declared his intention to retire from international football following the Nations League match against Sweden on October 2. Dzeko, who plays for Schalke in Germany's Bundesliga, turned 40 in March.

He expressed on social media that he feels the time has come to step aside, stating, “If I have made it to the age of 40 with the national team, it is because I truly gave everything I had.” Known as ‘Dijamant’ or ‘diamond’ by fans, Dzeko has been the captain of the national team since 2014. He has made 151 appearances and scored 73 goals since his debut against Turkey in June 2007, making him Bosnia's most-capped player and all-time leading scorer.

In August, he signed a one-year contract extension with Schalke after helping the team return to the Bundesliga. Dzeko called on fans to attend his farewell match in Zenica, emphasizing the shared emotions of his career.