Edin Dzeko to captain Bosnia at World Cup aged 40 after historic win
Edin Dzeko will lead Bosnia and Herzegovina at the upcoming World Cup in the United States at the age of 40, following a dramatic play-off victory over Italy.
The former Manchester City striker has accumulated more than 450 career goals and earned nearly 150 international caps.
He admits his incredible longevity in the professional game has come as a surprise even to himself.
Sometimes there is an end for all of us. Maybe mine is coming soon.
Joining an elite veteran club
The prolific forward will captain a national squad featuring several teammates who are young enough to be his sons.
By competing in the upcoming tournament, the veteran marksman joins Roger Milla in an exclusive group of outfield players to appear at a World Cup in their forties.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric are also expected to achieve this rare international milestone.
Reaching this stage required a monumental upset, as the 71st-ranked Balkan nation eliminated the four-time world champions on penalties to secure qualification.
There was a lot of talk that Italy might not go to a third consecutive World Cup. Almost no one talked about us as a team, that we truly are an excellent team with many young players.
The secret to lasting success
The seasoned attacker played in a Champions League final at 37 and attributes his prolonged career to meticulous physical preparation.
I didn’t think I would be playing at 40. If you asked me 10 years ago, I would say no, but I’m listening to my body as well and doing a lot of work before and after training to help my body.
He highlighted the crucial importance of dedicating extra hours to gym work and injury prevention routines that younger professionals often overlook.
This disciplined approach has allowed the target man to outlast almost all of his contemporaries from the famous 2012 Premier League title-winning squad.
Following James Milner’s recent retirement, only Stefan Savic and Mario Balotelli remain active alongside the man who scored the crucial injury-time equaliser against Queens Park Rangers.