Bosnia captain Dzeko to retire from international football

The forward, who plays for Schalke in Germany's Bundesliga, turned 40 in March.

"Now I feel the time has come to step aside," Dzeko said on social media.

"If I have made it to the age of 40 with the national team, it is because I truly gave everything I had. Every time. Everything."

He is known by the country's fans as 'Dijamant', which means 'diamond' in Bosnian.

"Nothing in my career has ever compared to the pride I have felt every single time I wore that shirt. Nothing," added Dzeko, who has been Bosnia's captain since 2014.

In August, he signed a one-year contract extension with Schalke after helping them return to the Bundesliga last season following three years in the second tier.

He joined Schalke on a free transfer from Fiorentina in January.

Dzeko's former clubs also include Wolfsburg, Manchester City, Roma, Inter Milan and Fenerbahce.

The Sarajevo-born star began his club career with Zeljeznicar.

With 151 appearances and 73 goals since his international debut against Turkey in June 2007, Dzeko is Bosnia's most-capped player and all-time leading scorer.