Džeko defends Stuttgart star Demirović in his last press conference for Bosnia and Herzegovina

 Edin Džeko will play his last game for Bosnia and Herzegovina when Sergej Barbarez’s side host Sweden on Friday. The 40-year-old sends a message to fans with his last press conference in international football.

“My wish is for you critics to leave Demirović alone.” Džeko came to the defense of fellow Bundesliga striker before ending the press conference by taking a selfie with journalists (via @BHLiveOfficial).

After consistent transfer rumors in the summer, Ermedin Demirović scored a first-half hat-trick for Stuttgart in the Champions League against Viking FK. However, the 28-year-old only has four goals for Bosnia in 46 appearances.

The former Freiburg striker is scoreless since netting the opener against Cyprus in a 2-1 victory back in March 2025. The 4-2 victory in Romania extended his goal drought to 13 games, which actually started with him captaining the side against San Marino.

Džeko scored the solitary goal that night, and he’ll hope to add to his 73 international goals in his 152nd appearance. The Schalke striker is the record holder in both categories for the country that played its first international in 1995.

Barbarez confirmed Džeko will definitely get minutes on Friday irrespective of the result. Bosnia and Herzegovina started their campaign with a goalless draw against Poland before beating Romania in Bucharest. Sweden sit top of the group with a perfect record.

A former Bundesliga champion with Wolfsburg, Džeko re-joined Schalke with a one-year deal after helping them to promotion. The Royal Blues will face third-placed Freiburg when Bundesliga resumes after the international break.