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Edin Dzeko will bring down the curtain on his Bosnia and Herzegovina international career against Sweden on Saturday, ending an era for a player widely regarded as a living legend of Bosnian football.
Bosnia and Herzegovina will host Sweden in the UEFA Nations League at Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica, with kickoff scheduled for 9:45 p.m. Türkiye time (6:45 p.m. GMT).
Ahead of what will be his final appearance for the national team, Dzeko said representing his country had meant more to him than anything else in football and that he was leaving satisfied after fulfilling a childhood dream.
"Every child who plays football dreams of one day wearing the national team shirt. I fulfilled my dreams. I did the best I could and reached the highest point I could. That is why I am leaving happy," Dzeko said.
Dzeko said Bilino Polje held a special place both for him and for Bosnia and Herzegovina, adding that he hoped to sign off with a victory against Sweden.
As his final international match approaches, however, the veteran forward admitted that the occasion had brought back emotions resembling those he experienced at the beginning of his career.
"I feel an excitement and pressure similar to my childhood days. It is as if I am about to take my first steps. The national team is an emotion in itself. It will be difficult to hide these feelings, but when the first whistle blows, I will not think about anything else," he said.
Dzeko added that he believed he had given everything he could to the national team and would therefore step away feeling fulfilled.
His children, however, were less pleased with the decision.
"Now all that remains is to take my children by the hand, go to the stands and cheer for our Bosnia and Herzegovina," he said.
Dzeko also used his farewell to pass on a message to younger players, stressing that talent alone was not enough and urging them to work harder every day while chasing their dreams.
The tribute has already spread beyond the pitch. A giant image of Dzeko wearing Bosnia and Herzegovina's No. 11 shirt was hung on Marshal Tito Street in Sarajevo ahead of his final match.
Sarajevo's traditional cevapi restaurants are also joining the farewell. In honor of Dzeko's famous shirt number, several restaurants announced that customers ordering portions normally containing 10 pieces of the grilled meat dish will receive 11 for the same price on match day.
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