The 40-year-old striker played his final match for Bosnia and Herzegovina against Sweden in the UEFA Nations League on October 2, bringing an emotional end to his time in the national jersey. Džeko leaves as the country’s most-capped player and all-time leading scorer, with 152 appearances and 74 goals.
Džeko made his international debut in 2007 and quickly became one of the defining figures of Bosnian football. He helped Bosnia and Herzegovina qualify for its first-ever FIFA World Cup in 2014, when he was one of the team’s leading players, and remained an important figure during the country’s second World Cup appearance in 2026. His club career has taken him from Željezničar Sarajevo and the Czech league to Wolfsburg, Manchester City, Roma, Inter Milan, Fenerbahçe, Fiorentina and, most recently, Schalke 04.
Known affectionately as the “Dijamant” — the Diamond — Džeko became far more than a footballer to supporters in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
His goals, longevity, leadership and commitment to the national jersey made him one of the country’s most recognisable sporting figures, while the Bosnia and Herzegovina Football Federation described him as one of the most important symbols of its football for almost two decades. His farewell in Zenica was accompanied by emotional scenes involving teammates and supporters, reflecting the place he has earned in the country’s sporting history.
Away from football, Džeko has built a family life with his wife, Amra, with whom he has four children, while Amra also has a daughter from a previous marriage, making them a family of seven. Their family has remained a visible source of support throughout his career, often accompanying him at major tournaments and important moments. For many young people across Bosnia and Herzegovina and the wider region, Džeko represents more than sporting success: his journey from Sarajevo to the biggest European football stages is a story of perseverance, discipline and ambition, making the “Dijamant” a role model whose influence extends well beyond the pitch.
