Edin Dzeko's decision to retire from international football

News summary

Bosnian footballer Edin Dzeko, who plays for Germany's Schalke 04, has decided to retire from his national team career.

News details

In a post on his Instagram account on the US-based social media platform, Dzeko announced that he will end his national team career with the Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Sweden match to be played on October 2.

The 40-year-old striker stated in his announcement: "It was a childhood dream. A dream I carried with me in every single one of the 151 matches where I had the honor of representing my country on the football pitch. I have always been proud to do this, just like the very first time. Nearly 20 years have passed since that match we played against Turkey. Many things have changed, I have changed too, but my love for this shirt has never changed."

"Now I feel it is time to step aside. If I have reached the age of 40 with the national team, it is because I have truly given my all. Playing for my country has been the most emotional opportunity football has given me. Qualifying for the World Cup for the first time in 2014 remains one of the happiest moments of my life as a footballer. The emotions I felt on the night of the goal I scored against Wales and then the goal against Italy will stay in my heart forever. Seeing the celebrations of my people on the streets of our cities was another incredible gift that football gave me. There will be time to thank everyone who has been by my side and supported me throughout this wonderful journey. For now, I hope you will be there that night against Sweden. So that we can share one more emotion. Because we lived every single one of these incredible moments together. I want to experience my final night representing my country in exactly this way. All of you by my side, wearing the shirt I have loved since childhood and will continue to love for the rest of my life.".

Key information

• Tournament: National Team
• News type: Football
• Certainty: The source reports this development as an official statement.

Source

This news has been compiled from information obtained from A Spor (published: September 3, 2026, 12:59).

Original news: A Spor