Dzeko: Players want season to resume

The Bosnian gave his opinion on the current dilemmas surrounding the return of the 2019-20 Serie A season - along with answering a number of other questions from the fans.

Here is some of what Dzeko had to say...

What do you think about the debate about whether the season should restart soon?

“A few weeks ago I said that we wanted to play. With the right security and safety in place – health comes before anything else. Right now it is safer for us to train at Trigoria than in the parks. The club has done a lot of important things over the past two months, for both its supporters and the general public. Trigoria is safe and controlled for us players. We would be safer there than anywhere else.

“Recently I’ve seen a lot of things written and said: when others talk about us they always talk about how players earn a lot. But football is not just about money and footballers; there are a lot of people involved in the game. I have played in Germany, in England, in Italy so I’ve seen how many people work throughout the game, and there are so many who cannot work right now. We need to think about them as well. Then there are all the businesses that work with Roma, or work at the Olimpico.

“I don’t want to talk just about money, though. Yesterday I saw a few interviews with different players about the need to return to playing – I am completely in agreement with them.”

What’s it like to be the Roma captain now?

“It’s a huge honour. After so many renowned captains, so many Roman captains, to be the captain – and not from Rome – is something I’m proud of. It means that over the last few years I’ve made a good impression. I hope to continue doing that, and make our fans happy. I hope that all the fans will be proud to have a captain from Bosnia!”

What advice would you give to someone wanting to become a professional footballer?

“It’s not easy. Above all the professionalism required. There are a lot of things to thing about. Above all you need the talent, but it’s not necessarily decisive – I have seen so many hard workers who perhaps lacked the talent. When I was coming up there were a lot of players better than me, but in the end they didn’t reach the highest level. You need to be lucky too. You need to work hard and always remain positive."

Where did you get that Roma scarf you were pictured with as a teenager?

“We had been at a tournament in Italy, Ferrara I think, and this was maybe 17 or 18 years ago. We went out to buy shirts and scarves. Right now I can’t really remember what I bought. I must have bought it, and then over time forgot about it. But seeing it again recently, I was amazed – and it made me even prouder to be here now.”

What does it feel like to be a Bosnian icon?

“I had a tough journey, just like every other Bosnian after the war. We came through that strong and I’m really proud now if other Bosnians consider me a role model or an idol – someone who has done something for the country. It means that I am representing them all in the right way and that’s important to me.”