After training with the Bosnian national team on a hot, humid afternoon ahead of their match against Canada, 40-year-old veteran Edin Dzeko strolled over to a metal fence lined with dozens of fans calling out for a photo or autograph.
As he made his way along the line of cheering young supporters, his humble, shy smile seemed at odds with his status as a legendary striker and arguably Bosnia and Herzegovina's greatest ever footballer.
This year, Bosnia is making its second appearance at the World Cup and, for a small European country still recovering from war and grappling with limited resources, it's a moment of immense significance.
"It means everything," 22-year-old Ammar Brezovic told Middle East Eye at Centennial Park, where the team had been training.
He travelled from Chicago to attend the match in Toronto, while creating social media content around the tournament and filming a documentary about Bosnia's team.
