NEWS
Muslic's protégé ends national team career
152 appearances for Bosnia and Herzegovina make him his country's record player. The Schalke 04 striker also leads the all-time scoring list.
Edin Dzeko ended his nearly two-decade-long national team career for Bosnia and Herzegovina during the Nations League duel against Sweden (1-1).
The striker, who also played for clubs like Manchester City and Inter Milan, made his debut for the Bosnian national team back in June 2007. He has been an integral part of the team ever since.
Emotional Farewell
Even before the match, fans celebrated the star striker. In Sarajevo, an oversized jersey with Dzeko's number 11 and the inscription "Thank you Diamond" adorned a building in the city center.
Fans in the stadium also thanked their captain. An hour before kick-off, Bosnian fans repeatedly chanted Dzeko's name.
Almost a Perfect Farewell
The Schalke striker almost had a perfect farewell. In first-half stoppage time, the 152-cap Bosnian international scored, but his goal was disallowed, keeping his tally at 73 international goals.
In the 62nd minute, Edin Dzeko left the pitch to thunderous applause, walking through a guard of honor formed by his teammates, and was replaced by Salzburg legionnaire Haris Tabakovic.
No Worries About the Future
Dzeko participated in two World Cup finals with his national team (2014, 2026), and the striker says: "The two World Cups will remain my fondest memories. That's the most beautiful thing that has ever happened to me and the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team."
However, the long-serving captain has no worries about the future of the Bosnian national team: "I am sure that the players who remain in the national team will follow in my footsteps."
