Edin Dzeko Announces International Retirement, Bosnia's Record Scorer to Bow Out Against Sweden

Edin Dzeko has announced his retirement from international football, revealing that Bosnia and Herzegovina's Nations League match against Sweden on October 2 will be his final appearance for his country.

The 40-year-old Schalke forward confirmed the news in an emotional Instagram post. "Sometimes I found myself wondering when this moment would come... but I never imagined how emotional I would feel writing these words," he wrote. "Nothing in my career has ever compared to the pride I have felt every single time I wore that shirt. Nothing."

Dzeko retires as Bosnia's most-capped player and all-time leading scorer, with 151 caps and 73 goals since his debut against Turkey in 2007. He helped guide Bosnia to their first-ever World Cup in 2014 and their run to the last 32 at this year's tournament in North America. "I feel that the time has come to step aside now," he said. "If I was able to stay in the national team until the age of 40, it is because I truly gave everything I had. Every time. My all."

The announcement comes just a day after Argentina great Lionel Messi confirmed his own international retirement, marking a striking week for farewells at the top of the international game. Dzeko will continue playing club football for Schalke in the Bundesliga.