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Edin Džeko: These are the moments I came to FC Schalke 04 for
A comeback, a home win, promotion – and less than 24 hours later, the 2. Bundesliga title secured with two games to spare: Edin Džeko could hardly have wished for a better weekend to kick off the month of May. “I’m simply delighted. I’ve experienced a lot in my career. But days like this show once again what you play football for,” said the striker. “The celebrations after the final whistle against Düsseldorf were unreal. These are exactly the moments I came to FC Schalke 04 for.”
Just over four weeks after his shoulder injury, which he suffered in the decisive World Cup qualifier for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team against Italy, Schalke’s number 10 returned to the matchday squad for the game against Fortuna – and came on after 69 minutes to rapturous applause from the fans at the VELTINS-Arena, replacing Dejan Ljubičić.
The celebrations after the final whistle against Düsseldorf were unreal.
Being able to experience promotion on the pitch meant a great deal to the striker – especially as his family had travelled from Florence to be in the stands for the home match against Fortuna Düsseldorf.
Success with Schalke means a great deal to the striker
Despite the many honours he has won during his career, this 2. Bundesliga title holds a special place for him. “Schalke is a fantastic club. I’m proud that I was able to play my part in taking them back to where they belong – the Bundesliga. We held onto this promotion spot throughout the entire second half of the season and fully deserve to be right at the top,” explained the 40-year-old, who has won one league title in Germany and two in England, as well as several domestic cups and super cups in England and Italy.
Another career highlight awaits in just over a month: the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Leading the Bosnia and Herzegovina national side to qualification as captain is something Džeko also attributes to Schalke. “I might not have qualified for the World Cup without Schalke,” he said.
I might not have qualified for the World Cup without Schalke.
The first half of the season had not gone smoothly for him personally. At AC Fiorentina, he made 11 Serie A appearances but accumulated only 236 minutes – one of the reasons behind his move in the winter. Despite receiving lucrative alternative proposals, Džeko made the emphatic decision to join Schalke, proactively reaching out to Miron Muslić and the club’s management. “From my time in Wolfsburg, I knew what a great club Schalke is. The fans, the VELTINS-Arena – it’s just brilliant.”
At Schalke, the striker quickly rediscovered his old form: a record of six goals and three assists in nine matches speaks for itself. More goals could yet follow in Nürnberg and at home against Braunschweig. Because for Džeko, one thing is clear: “I love football – and I love scoring goals!”
