Interview
‘Didn’t think I’d still be playing at 40’ – Edin Dzeko speaks after leading Bosnia to World Cup
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When Bosnia-Herzegovina open the World Cup against co-hosts Canada on June 12 in Toronto, Edin Dzeko will become the seventh-oldest player in history. Only seven players aged 40 or older have played at a World Cup prior to this upcoming summer. For Dzeko, it will be the second time he has played at the World Cup; the striker scored for his nation in a3-1 win over Iran at the 2014 edition. Dzeko played a big role in his country getting there, scoring in the World Cup qualifier playoffs against Wales (2-4 on pens) and providing an assist in the decisive match against Italy (4-1 on pens).
It has been a big year for Dzeko. Prior to the events that saw Bosnia qualify for the World Cup for just the second time in history, Dzeko decided to join 2. Bundesliga club Schalke. Although a second division side, Schalke are one of the giants of German football. The club based in Gelsenkirchen has 200,000 members; only Bayern Munich (432,000) and Dortmund (238,000) have more in Germany. Schalke secured promotion with two games to go, and ahead of the season finale against Braunschweig, Transfermarkt caught up with Dzeko to discuss his decision to join Schalke, his future, and his World Cup experience.
Stats
E. Dzeko
Centre-Forward
FC Schalke 04
10
6
3
“I think for Schalke it is amazing to be back in the Bundesliga,” Dzeko said. “I believe that is where they always should be.” Dzeko joined the club in January from Fiorentina on a free transfer and then scored six goals and three assists in ten games, providing a massive push towards promotion. But Schalke weren’t the only club interested. At the time, Dzeko also had an enticing offer from Ligue 1 side Paris FC. “In January, it was about playing more,” Dzeko said about his decision. “Obviously, playing for a big club with great fans in a great stadium was the main reason I came here. I wanted this great club to go up again, plus I needed the playing time for the national team.”
Dzeko: 2. Bundesliga "not a normal second league"
Getting Schalke back to the Bundesliga was certainly a big factor as well. “I knew what the 2. Bundesliga is,” Dzeko said. “It’s not a normal second league, you can see that on television, it is very intense and all the great stadiums, great fans, full houses, it is a special league. Also, I was going to Schalke, and the four months here have shown me that every game was 50-50, even against the last-placed team; it was never easy. It is never easy, and that is what the league is all about.”
Leading up to the final World Cup qualifiers, Dzeko made eight appearances for Schalke and in that stretch, he not only scored six goals, but Schalke also lost only once, the derby against Bochum (2-0). Schalke collected 12 points in those eight games, and Dzeko had the fitness required to play the cruelling World Cup qualifiers against Wales and Italy. The result was Bosnia’s second World Cup qualification but also a shoulder injury that kept Dzeko out of four games with Schalke.
Indeed, fitness is a big thing for any player, but at 40, it becomes even more paramount to maintain a condition that allows one to play football at the highest level. “I didn’t think I was still playing at 40,” Dzeko admitted. “If you asked me like ten years ago if I was still playing at 40, I would have said no. But I listen to my body and do extra work before and after training, which helps. I am still feeling good, and, more importantly, I still feel I can help the team. I think I showed that in the last four months, both for Schalke and the national team.”
Dzeko to play one more year? "It isn't just up to me"
Is there any special routine he does to keep fit? “When you are young, you don’t think about coming to training early. Now, I arrive 30-45 minutes early to do work in the gym and stay for an extra 30-45 minutes to do prevention work. When you are 20, you perhaps don’t want to do these things, so go out for coffee with friends instead. But it is what keeps you in the game long-term, and why I can still play football.”
The fitness routine has helped Dzeko prolong his career into his 40s. It also means the striker will now have a second chance to play at a World Cup. Bosnia will be in a group with co-hosts Canada, Switzerland and Qatar. Of those three, Dzeko believes Switzerland will be the toughest opponent. “They are the favourites in our group,” Dzeko said. “They have so many good players and are very experienced. I think the other teams in our group will all be fighting for second and third place.” What will it be like to lead Bosnia to the World Cup once again? “I am so happy I can do it,” Dzeko said. “It is so amazing for young players. They don’t know it yet, but it will change their lives for sure.”
Stats
E. Dzeko
Centre-Forward
Bosnia-Herzegovina
148
73
30
Finally, will we see Dzeko in the Bundesliga for one more season? “It isn’t just up to me,” Dzeko said. “First, I have to talk to Schalke to see what their plans are, and then we will decide.”
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