Edin Dzeko, the renowned Bosnian striker, suffered a significant facial injury during the World Cup qualifier match between Romania and Bosnia-Herzegovina on Friday, March 21, 2025. The incident occurred in the 34th minute when Dzeko, while challenging for a header, was accidentally kicked in the face by Romanian defender Mihai Popescu. This unfortunate collision left Dzeko with visible bruising and necessitated a substitution at half-time.
Despite being in considerable pain, the 39-year-old footballer managed to continue playing for the last 11 minutes of the first half before exiting the game. Illustrating the severity of his injury, Dzeko later shared a selfie via Instagram, showing off a swollen nose and bruises beneath his eyes. In his post, he wrote, “All in or nothing,” accompanied by emojis reflecting his fighting spirit.
Following Dzeko’s revelation of his injuries on social media, comments poured in from former teammates, both supportive and light-hearted. Notably, Mario Balotelli, who previously played alongside Dzeko at Manchester City, teased him saying, “You look nice like this,” while Radja Nainggolan, a former Roma teammate, chimed in with, “You look really good!” Their humorous camaraderie helped lighten the mood surrounding Dzeko’s painful situation.
The gruesome incident contrasted sharply with the positive outcome of the match itself, where Bosnia-Herzegovina secured a narrow 1-0 victory, marked by a goal from Gigovic. This win was crucial for the Bosnian team as they kicked off their qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup. Looking ahead, Bosnia’s next qualifying match is set to take place on Monday, March 24, 2025, against Cyprus. Bosnia's group also includes Austria and San Marino, making every match pivotal for their World Cup aspirations.
Dzeko’s extensive soccer experience is notable. Having made 140 caps for his country since debuting at 21, he is not only Bosnia’s leading appearance-maker but also its all-time top scorer with 67 goals. While he did not score against Romania, Dzeko's influence on the field remains undeniable as he brings leadership and skill to the team.
The match against Romania was Dzeko’s first outing of the World Cup qualifiers, and despite the injury, he showed tremendous grit. He already had a cast on his right arm due to a previous injury incurred during his time with Fenerbahçe, but that did not deter him from leading his team onto the field. Showing the spirit of a seasoned warrior, he proudly displayed on social media the bandages on his right arm alongside the stitches on his left eyebrow, another injury sustained during an earlier match with his Turkish club.
Reflecting on the incident, Dzeko noted how a simple unfortunate event can severely impact a player's experience on the pitch. This incident brings to light the physical toll that professional sports can impose on athletes, highlighting the risks that players like Dzeko face week in and week out.
As for Dzeko’s continued participation moving forward, it has been confirmed that he will be wearing a protective mask in future games to safeguard himself against similar injuries. The protective equipment is reminiscent of his earlier days when he faced similar challenges during his club tenure at AS Roma.
In sum, while Dzeko's injury was certainly worrisome, it did not overshadow the team's victory or his remarkable record as a player. His resilience and sense of humor, evident in his social media interactions, only underscore his desire to return to peak performance quickly. With the next match set against Cyprus, fans will be watching closely to see how he bounces back. The football community continues to rally behind Dzeko as he works to recover and contribute further to his national team’s World Cup ambitions.
