After 20 professional years, Blerim Dzemaili is hanging up his football boots at the end of the season. The 37-year-old, who has been active again at his “heart club” FC Zurich since the beginning of 2021, announced the end of his career on Wednesday. The central midfielder, who played 69 international matches for Switzerland, with whom he took part in the 2006, 2014 and 2018 World Cup and the EM 2016, was in Serie A for Naples, Bologna and Parma as well as for Galatasaray, Montréal, the Bolton Wanderers and Shenzhen FC active.
Dzemaili has twice won the Italian Cup with Napoli, won the double with Galatasaray in Turkey and three league titles with Zurich, the last time after his return last summer. This is a “circle that has closed for me. It makes me really proud,” said Dzemaili. It was “like a fairy tale”. “Italy in particular has a very high priority in life,” he summed up. The titles with Naples and the subsequent celebrations in the city were “incredible” and I will never forget them.
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“After a bitter season and careful consideration, I have decided to end my journey as a professional footballer at this point,” said Dzemaili, who had to fight against relegation with last year’s champions and was repeatedly disabled by injuries. In 26 games, Dzemaili contributed five goals and one assist, making a total of 200 appearances (20 goals) for FCZ. “During all the years I was able to experience numerous successes and beautiful emotions that will stay with me forever. FC Zurich plays a huge role in my career. It is my absolute heart club and made my international career possible.”
With Blerim Dzemaili, one of the greatest identification figures of the recent FCZ past is ending his career. Here is the media release:
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