Dzeko reveals why he's not retiring yet
The experienced 40-year-old striker has signed a new one-year deal with Schalke and is ready for a comeback season in the Bundesliga, though he admits this could be his last.
The experienced 40-year-old striker has signed a new one-year deal with Schalke and is ready for a comeback season in the Bundesliga, though he admits this could be his last.
Edin Dzeko, Schalke's striker and captain of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team, will wear the Gelsenkirchen club's jersey for another season. The 40-year-old Bosnian international signed a new one-year contract, which the club officially confirmed on August 4, 2026. Dzeko joined Schalke in January 2026 and helped them secure promotion back to the Bundesliga, and now, after more than 15 years, he will once again play in Germany's top football division.
At a press conference, Dzeko explained what motivates him to continue his professional career at the age of 41. "I still have a great desire for football and I'm still hungry for success. I'm sure I can help Schalke. If I didn't think so, I'd stay on vacation," he said firmly.
Interestingly, he revealed how his family reacted to his decision to stay in football. "My wife and kids told me: 'You have to keep playing, we don't want you at home,'" Dzeko joked, adding that the decision wasn't difficult because of that. His wife Amra and their children strongly supported the continuation of his career, and his daughter told him after the World Cup that she would like to live in Germany.
Despite the new contract, Dzeko didn't rule out the possibility that next season could be his last in professional football, but he reminded that he thought the same a year earlier. "Probably, but I thought that last year too. It's quite possible it will be the last, but above all, I want it to be a good season and, with a bit of luck, we'll have something to celebrate," he stated.
The experienced striker is aware of the challenges awaiting Schalke after their return to the Bundesliga. "I want to help the team with goals and assists, and the rest will come. The Bundesliga is a higher level than the second division in every way. We're surely in for a tough and challenging season because we've just returned," Dzeko emphasized, adding that the primary goal is survival in the league.
Dzeko also revealed that he had three other offers, but Schalke was his only option. "I wanted to continue what we started at Schalke. That was the only option for me, and I wasn't interested in other clubs. I talked a lot with Miron Muslic, who believes in me, and that's always the most important thing," Dzeko said, highlighting his excellent relationship with the coach.
He praised Muslic's approach and added: "I have an excellent relationship with him. He knows what he's doing and will make the best decisions for the club. As far as I'm concerned, whether I'm 20 or 40, as a striker, I always want to score goals." Dzeko also admitted that he probably won't play in the friendly against Atalanta because he doesn't want to rush his return to full fitness, but he didn't rule out the possibility of playing a week later against Real Madrid and his former coach Mourinho.
