Edin Džeko
A towering striker from war-torn Sarajevo who became his nation's all-time scoring hero and a beloved figure across Europe's top leagues.
Born 1986 (age 40)·Bosnian footballer·Birthday: March 17·Millennials
Biography
Edin Džeko's story is one of resilience forged in a childhood shadowed by the Siege of Sarajevo, where he practiced football in basements and parking lots. His professional journey began at Željezničar before a move to Czech side Teplice launched his European ascent. At VfL Wolfsburg, his powerful frame and clinical finishing propelled the club to a stunning Bundesliga title in 2009. A successful stint at Manchester City saw him score crucial goals, including a dramatic equalizer that helped secure the club's first Premier League crown in 2012. Later, as a leader at Roma and Inter Milan, he defied age with intelligent movement and a poacher's instinct. For Bosnia and Herzegovina, he is more than a captain; he is the symbol of their footballing identity, carrying the hopes of a nation with every graceful header and precise finish.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Edin was born in 1986, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Edin Was Born
The biggest hits of 1986
#1 Movie
Top Gun
Best Picture
Platoon
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Edin's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1986Born
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1991Started school
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1999Became a teenager
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Could drive
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2004Could vote
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Turned 21
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2016Turned 30
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 40
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Bundesliga with VfL Wolfsburg in 2009, scoring 26 goals that season.
- Scored a last-minute equalizer for Manchester City in 2012, a pivotal moment in their first Premier League title win.
- Became Bosnia and Herzegovina's all-time top scorer and most-capped player.
- Won the Serie A title with Inter Milan in 2021 and the UEFA Europa Conference League with Roma in 2022.
- Named Bosnian Footballer of the Year three consecutive times (2009, 2010, 2011).
Did You Know?
He is fluent in five languages: Bosnian, Czech, German, English, and Italian.
His father saved his first football boots for him during the Bosnian War, carrying them while fleeing shelling.
He holds a degree in Economics from the University of Sarajevo.
He was nicknamed 'The Bosnian Diamond' by Italian sports journalists during his time at Roma.
“I grew up during the war, so I know that football is not a matter of life and death. But it can bring joy to people who need it.”
