The football team of Bosnia and Herzegovina held a press conference ahead of tomorrow’s UEFA Nations League match against Sweden at the “Bilino Polje” stadium in Zenica, and the center of attention was captain Edin Dzeko’s farewell to the national team jersey.
Tomorrow, Džeko will play his last match for the national team of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“Playing for the national team meant everything to me. Every child who plays football wants to play for the national team one day, and I fulfilled my wishes,” said Džeko.
“I gave my maximum, achieved my maximum, and that’s why I’m leaving happy,” said captain Zmajeva.
Speaking about tomorrow’s match, Džeko said that the “Bilino Polje” stadium has a special meaning for the national team of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“Zenica is special in a way, considering that it is our home. We have been used to playing there for years and it has a special meaning for us. Surely, in some way, the matches we play on the home field can be said to be favorites,” said Džeko.
The legendary striker admitted that he was overwhelmed by emotions before the farewell match.
“As it gets closer it gets harder. Some boyish pressure is there. It’s like I need to take the first steps,” he said.
He added that the match will be particularly emotional, but that after the initial whistle the focus will be exclusively on the field.
“The national team in itself is an emotion. It will be difficult to hide those emotions, but when the first whistle blows, there is no thinking about anything else. It is a match that is important, it is not an exhibition match and I believe that in those 90 minutes the heads will be in the right place”, said Džeko.
When asked if it was too late for him to change his decision on forgiveness, he was categorical.
“This is just right,” he said.
Two world championships as the crown of a representative career
Speaking about what he will remember the most from his national team career, Džeko singled out two appearances at the world championships.
“Probably those two world championships, they were the crowns of the qualifications we played and the most beautiful thing that happened for me and for the whole of Bosnia and Herzegovina from the football side,” he said.
He singled out the last goal against Wales as one of his favorites, which he described as one of the most emotional.
Dzeko explained that he said goodbye to the national team, because he wanted to choose a match where he would be the most ready and able to help the team.
“It’s not an exhibition match, it’s important and we all need to be at the same level,” he said.
When asked if he sees himself in the role of coach one day, Džeko said that he hasn’t thought much about it yet and that he plans to rest first after almost 20 years of playing.
A message to young footballers
Džeko sent a special message to the youngest footballers, stressing that talent must be accompanied by daily work and ambition.
“Youth quickly get fed up with everything. I think, at least as far as I’m concerned, that was my greatest strength. Even when they criticized me and said I wasn’t the best, I always had my feet on the ground and knew what I could do. I knew what I wanted and I knew what I would do for it,” he said.
He added that Bosnia and Herzegovina has many talents, but that the road to European football is difficult.
“Above all, children need to have dreams, pursue them, and believe in their own abilities, but also work harder every day. Even now, at the age of 40, I continue to work and can still learn something – to progress in some way,” he said.
He will miss playing for the national team
Dzeko said that after the farewell, he will miss everything that comes with playing for the national team.
“I will miss playing for the national team, and that includes everything that goes on. From going out on the field, from my teammates, intoning the national anthem, goals, celebrating our fans, victories. The World and European championships that will be held. It will be difficult for me to watch from the stands, but in any case I am happy with it because I know that as far as the national team is concerned, I have reached and made that certain maximum. I gave my best and for that reason I am leaving happy and satisfied, because I know that it is was the maximum,” he said.
Speaking about his children’s reaction to the decision to say goodbye, Džeko said that they were not happy, especially because they had become big fans of the national team.
“Now it remains for me to take the children by the hand and go to the stands to cheer for our Bosnia and Herzegovina,” he said.
Džeko said that he did not talk much with the director of the national team, Emir Spahić, about the decision to say goodbye.
When asked if he could return to the national team if the situation is difficult, like Dusan Tadić in Serbia, Džeko replied that there is no space and time for that.
“I am a bit older – so there is no space and time for anything else. I know how much I gave and I know that this is my maximum and what has helped the BiH national team up to this moment. Thank God I am leaving the team in a good condition, with good guys who persuaded me to stay longer,” said Džeko, AA writes.
