February-May: his 21 Bundesliga goals, including hat-tricks against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and Hannover 96, spearhead Wolfsburg to their maiden German title; finishes second in season's overall scoring charts behind team-mate Grafite – 26 goals to 28.

March/April: his three goals in back-to-back FIFA World Cup qualifying wins over Belgium (4-2 away, 2-1 at home) boost Bosnia-Herzegovina's hopes of a play-off place.

May: ends season with 43 goals in all competitions for club and country.

August: fends off interest from major European clubs by signing new contract with Wolfsburg until 2013.

September: scores his first UEFA Champions League goal in Wolfsburg's 2-1 defeat by Manchester United FC at Old Trafford.

October: ends Bosnia-Herzegovina's World Cup qualifying group campaign with nine goals after scoring in their final two matches – finishes second overall in European qualifying behind Greece's ten-goal Fanis Gekas.

October: nominated for Ballon d'Or.

November: plays a full role, and wears captain's armband in the second leg, but cannot prevent Bosnia-Herzegovina losing out to Portugal in World Cup play-off, 2-0 on aggregate.