Zenica: Bosnia and Herzegovina captain Edin Dzeko announced on Thursday that he will retire from international football after next month's UEFA Nations League match against Sweden. "On October 2nd, against Sweden, I will play my next and final match for our national team," the 40-year-old striker said on Instagram.

According to Anadolu Agency, Dzeko has scored a national-record 73 goals in 151 appearances since making his senior debut against Trkiye in June 2007. His farewell match is scheduled to take place in Zenica. "Nothing in my career has ever compared to the pride I have felt every single time I wore that shirt. Nothing," he said.

Dzeko expressed that it was his childhood dream, a dream he carried with him on each of the 151 occasions he had the honor of representing his country on a football pitch. Dzeko helped Bosnia and Herzegovina qualify for their first World Cup in 2014 and captained the team during its second appearance at the tournament in 2026.

He recalled qualifying for their first World Cup in 2014 as one of the happiest moments of his life as a footballer. The Schalke 04 forward also remembered his goal against Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina's playoff victory over Italy in Zenica in March, securing qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

"And that is how I want to experience my final night representing my country: with all of you by my side, wearing the shirt I have loved since I was a boy - and the shirt I will love for the rest of my life," he added.