Edin Dzeko prepares for final World Cup campaign with Bosnia-Herzegovina
Striker Edin Dzeko is set to lead Bosnia-Herzegovina into the 2026 World Cup in what will likely be the final tournament of his remarkable career, beginning with a group-stage clash against co-hosts Canada on Friday.
When the veteran forward eventually decides to retire, his career highlights reel will be remarkably extensive.
Two Premier League titles feature prominently in an impressive collection of club honours won during spells with Manchester City, Inter Milan and Wolfsburg.
Yet the enduring image of the 40-year-old’s playing days may ultimately prove to be a much more vulnerable one on international duty.
Moments after his national side beat Italy on penalties to qualify for only their second World Cup, the captain was seen celebrating cautiously while nursing his arm in a sling.
A nation’s hopes resting on veteran shoulders
For almost 20 years, the prolific goalscorer has carried the heavy expectations of a country still deeply affected by past horrors.
“His career is connected to the country’s own image – resilience, persistence and proving people wrong.”
That is how Bosnian journalist Sasa Ibrulj summarises the monumental impact of the nation’s most famous sporting export.
Placed in a relatively even World Cup group alongside Canada, Switzerland and Qatar, the final chapter of this celebrated playing career could spark a new beginning for the European side.
Their tournament campaign begins against the North American co-hosts at 20:00 BST on Friday.
Forged in the fires of the Sarajevo siege
The player affectionately known as the ‘Bosnian Diamond’ grew up against a harrowing backdrop of war, poverty and suffering.
He was just six years old when the Bosnian War began in 1992, sparking a devastating conflict that cost the lives of approximately 80,000 fellow Bosnian Muslims.
His family remained trapped in Sarajevo during the near four-year siege of the city as snipers routinely targeted civilians.
Following the destruction of his parents’ house, the youngster was forced to move into a tiny, cramped apartment with his grandparents.
“It was terrible. The whole family was there, maybe 15 people all staying in an apartment about 35 metres square.”
Speaking previously to the Guardian, the former Roma talisman recalled the constant, daily stress of fearing that loved ones had been killed.
A childhood tragedy was only narrowly avoided when his mother forced him to stay home from a local football pitch on a day a shell struck the field, killing several children.
From misunderstood youth to European royalty
After the war concluded, the towering striker began his footballing journey with local club Zeljeznicar.
His early career was largely misunderstood by coaches, earning him the nickname ‘Kloc’ – local slang for a lamp-post – due to his lanky physical appearance.
Zeljeznicar directors could barely believe their luck when Czech side Teplice offered to buy the young forward for a mere 25,000 euros.
Years later, the acclaimed international became the first player in history to score at least 50 goals across the Premier League, Bundesliga and Serie A.
Despite achieving global superstardom, the national hero has never forgotten his roots.
He has made numerous charitable donations to aid renovations at his boyhood club and proudly became his country’s first Unicef ambassador in 2009.
“What makes him different is that people in Bosnia have never experienced him as distant or untouchable.”
Ibrulj notes that fans deeply respect the fact their talisman did not emerge from a privileged background or a powerful academy system.
