Joshua Kimmich named new Germany captain
Joshua Kimmich has been named as the new Germany captain by coach Julian Nagelsmann following İlkay Gündoğan’s international retirement.
Kimmich, 29, takes the armband having made 91 appearances for the national team so far, with his debut coming under Joachim Löw in a 3-1 win against Slovakia in 2016 where he started in a back three.
Sami Khedira captained the side in that game, and the Bayern Munich man will hope to have similar success wearing the armband after inheriting it from Gündoğan as Germany embark on their UEFA Nations League campaign and subsequent 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification.
Watch: The best of Joshua Kimmich
Speaking on his decision to name Kimmich as his captain, Nagelsmann felt the decision was straightforward, saying: “Jo was the logical successor. He leads the way with his mentality."
Antonio Rüdiger and Kai Havertz will support Kimmich as vice-captains, while Marc-André ter Stegen – the new no.1 after Manuel Neuer’s international retirement – Niclas Füllkrug, Pascal Groß and Jonathan Tah will make up the remainder of the team’s leadership council.
Following in a long line of German football greats such as Franz Beckenbauer, Lothar Matthäus, Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Neuer and more, Kimmich will lead his country out for the first time as full-time captain in the opening Nations League game against Hungary in Düsseldorf on Saturday.
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