Edin Džeko made his final international appearance for Bosnia & Herzegovina on Friday during a 1-1 draw against Sweden in the UEFA Nations League. Džeko, who captained the team and played 63 minutes, had previously announced that he would retire from international football following this last outing.
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In front of a sell-out crowd in Zenica, Džeko nearly ended his career with a goal, but it was ruled out by VAR during first-half injury time. After the match, he reflected on the emotional experience, stating, "The emotions are mixed. It's been very emotional, not only today, but also the last few days since I made that decision. I'm leaving happy because I know I gave my all. I'm leaving the team in good shape, with a lot of quality and guys who love Bosnia and Herzegovina."
The occasion was marked by celebrations throughout the game, including fireworks in the stadium during the 11th minute to honor the number he wears. When he was substituted in the second half, the stadium erupted into applause from fans and players alike. A special ceremony followed, featuring a guard of honor and tokens of appreciation for Džeko, along with the unveiling of a giant jersey bearing his name in Sarajevo.
Džeko retires as Bosnia's most-capped player and their all-time leading goalscorer with 73 goals, having represented his country at two FIFA World Cups. His teammates in the final match included Nikola Katić and Ermedin Demirović.