Dzeko opens up after farewell: This is the right time, the right moment. Even if my name is not there, I will be watching

Although many supporters had hoped until the final moments that the long-time captain might reconsider, Dzeko made clear after the match against Sweden that his decision was final.

"I wish it was April 1 and that I could say... Thank you for coming and preparing all of this. Unfortunately, I am too old for those jokes now. I think this is just right. I genuinely believe this is the right time – the right moment," Dzeko said.

The veteran striker said he was particularly pleased with the condition in which he was leaving the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team.

"I am leaving the team in good shape and that is the most important thing. There are young players who will only get better. Finally, we have good attacking players who can score goals. I am leaving happy. Happy, and now I am somewhat on your side – the supporters' side," he said with a smile.

"It felt like playing your first match"

Dzeko admitted that one of the most difficult moments came before the game had even started.

"Even before the match, somehow... You know when you feel pressure in your chest. It is like playing your first match. Once the game starts, it disappears. It is more about the anticipation."

He expected the emotions to overwhelm him after the final whistle, particularly during the farewell ceremony and the guard of honour formed by his teammates.

"After the match, I expected to be emotional, but I was OK. I am genuinely happy that it ended this way. Thank God it ended with the World Cup. With a new generation."

Dzeko also reflected on Bosnia and Herzegovina's draw against Sweden.

"I think this point is good for us. You could see that they are a good and quick national team, very good on the ball, and a team that clearly knows what it is doing. In the end, when you are playing at home, if you cannot win – try not to lose."

"I am leaving them on the pitch, but we are connected"

Dzeko spoke particularly warmly about the younger teammates to whom he is now leaving the national team.

"Off the pitch, I will still be here. I am leaving them on the pitch today, but this team and I are connected. They are part of me and I am part of them, regardless of the fact that my international career ends today. Whatever they need, I am here for them."

He acknowledged that making the decision might have been considerably more difficult had the national team been in a different position.

"Maybe two years ago it would have been a different national team, even with me. I would not have felt this fulfilled and happy, but I genuinely feel good now. This is a reward, and it ended with a positive result."

Bilino Polje had to be the place for the farewell

The huge interest surrounding Dzeko's final international appearance underlined his status in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with demand for tickets far exceeding the capacity of Bilino Polje Stadium.

For Dzeko, however, there was particular significance in playing his final match for Bosnia and Herzegovina in Zenica.

"I have genuinely played most of my national team matches here in Zenica. If only we had a bigger stadium... But I still feel that Bilino Polje and Zenica have this special magic. As a national team player who played some of his biggest matches here, it is nice that it ended here."

He also thanked the supporters.

"Thank you to the fans, the crowd and everyone who came here – to see me off and support the team. It will continue to be like that. Our supporters follow us and often, when we play away, it feels as though we are at home. I am not worried about that. The boys have quality, they love Bosnia and Herzegovina, and that is the most important thing."

When the national team call no longer comes to Schalke

Dzeko was also asked about a moment he has yet to experience – the next Bosnia and Herzegovina squad announcement without his name on it.

If the November call-up arrives at Schalke only for Nikola Katic, Dzeko said there would be no doubts or regrets.

"I am at peace. I have made the decision. If I had not been certain, I would not have done it. There is nothing left for me to reconsider. Whenever I can, even though my name will not be there, I will watch the national team. Maybe even in Stockholm. I want to be there with the boys. They are part of me and I am part of them."

A new role? Dzeko wants a break first

One question that will inevitably follow Dzeko into retirement from international football is whether he could one day return to the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team in another role.

For now, he has no answer.

"I need a lot of rest. Psychologically as well, and from the stress. But knowing myself, I will soon want to do something. I also need to feel that it is something I really want."

A message for the referee after the disallowed goal

Dzeko's farewell nearly had a storybook ending when he found the net against Sweden late in the first half, only for the goal to be disallowed.

After the match, the captain smiled as he recalled his conversation with the referee.

"He told me there had been a foul on the goalkeeper. He did not whistle at the time. The Swedes complained and he said, 'Everything is OK.' Only later, when the players from the bench came over, did he say there had been a foul. If he had said the ball went out, then fine, but maybe it was some kind of compensation. Like, there was a slight foul. They probably called him, but he would not change it. I scored it, so..." Dzeko said with a smile.

Dzeko's international career may now be over, but his first words following his farewell made clear that his bond with Bosnia and Herzegovina's national team – widely known as the Dragons – remains intact.

As he put it:

"They are part of me, and I am part of them."