Inter striker Edin Dzeko reflected on his life and his love of football, whilst recalling watching the Nerazzurri lift the UEFA Cup in 1998 whilst being in Italy.
In an interview as part of the club’s Careers series on their official website, Dzeko spoke of growing up in war-torn Bosnia and how playing football provided relief from the devastation, as he looked over photographs from his childhood and his career.
A particular memory that stuck out for him was being in Italy at the same time as Inter’s historic success in 1998, with Ronaldo inspiring the Nerazzurri to a 3-0 win over Lazio at the final in Paris.
“I was in Italy, near Cantù for a tournament. It was 1998, I remember the year for Inter’s win against Lazio, because I was with some Italian guys who were watching the UEFA Cup final and they were Inter fans,” the summer signing from Roma revealed.
“When I was a child, at the age of six, the war began. Times were difficult but then my father immediately took me to play football. The ball was always there, it was my first love.”
Dzeko also reflected on his involvement in Manchester City’s historic and stunning Premier League success in 2012, as he scored the first of two goals in stoppage time to snatch the title on the final day of the season.
“We won 3-2 and lifted the title, the first in 44 years. I remember that I had a great shot, it was an incredible match, we scored two goals in the last two minutes. Before the game everyone thought we were already champions but football is strange every now and then.
“We suffered until the end but we did it. After that goal the release was incredible, knowing that with those goals we made history.”
The 35-year-old also made history on the international stage, captaining Bosnia to their first appearance at a major international tournament at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
“It was the first and only World Cup we have appeared, though we hope it will only be the first and there will be more to come. People always expect a lot, especially from [Miralem] Pjanic and I who are the most experienced. When I join up with the national team I always put my heart into it to give my best,” he concluded.
Dzeko has scored 14 goals in 34 appearances across all competitions for Inter in his debut season, including 10 in Serie A.
