Bosnia and Herzegovina captain, Edin Džeko ended his international career with a 1-1 draw against Sweden in the UEFA Nations League on Friday, bringing his 20-year spell with the national team to a close.
The 40-year-old striker started and captained Bosnia in his final appearance, having made his international debut in June 2007.
Sweden took the lead in the 61st minute through Viktor Gyökeres, who continued his impressive goalscoring form during the international break.
Gyökeres had also scored against Romania and Poland, meaning he has found the net in all three of Sweden’s Nations League matches during the window.
Bosnia responded in the 80th minute when Kerim Alajbegović equalised to earn the hosts a point and ensure Džeko’s final international appearance ended without defeat.
Džeko leaves international football as Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most-capped player and all-time leading goalscorer.
He finished his career with 152 appearances and 73 goals for his country.
Reflecting on his decision to retire from international football, Džeko said, “Nothing in my career can compare with the pride I felt every time I put on that jersey. Nothing. It was my childhood dream, a dream I carried with me on each of the 151 matches when I had the honour of representing my country on the football pitch. I was always just as proud to wear it as I was the first time.
“Almost 20 years have passed since that match against Türkiye. A lot has changed since then, and I have changed too, but my love for this jersey never has. Now I feel the time has come for me to step away. If I have reached the age of 40 with the national team, it is because I gave everything I had.”
Džeko helped Bosnia qualify for their first FIFA World Cup in 2014 and also captained the country at the 2026 tournament.
His final appearance extended Bosnia’s unbeaten start to the Nations League campaign following a goalless draw with Poland and a 4-2 win over Romania.
For Sweden, Gyökeres’ goal maintained his impressive run during the international window, with the striker scoring in each of his side’s three Nations League fixtures.
