World Cup stars of the Bundesliga: Joshua Kimmich
From Gerd Müller to Benjamin Pavard, the Bundesliga has a long history of sending players to the FIFA World Cup who play a central role or produce memorable moments. Could Joshua Kimmich follow in their footsteps?
Name: Joshua Kimmich
Club: Bayern Munich
Nation: Germany
International debut: 29 May 2016
Caps: 108
Still fresh-faced and as spritely as ever in Bayern Munich’s midfield, it is easy to forget that Kimmich is now up to 108 international caps with Germany – a haul that puts him 10th in the all-time list, one behind Jürgen Klinsmann. Philipp Lahm (113) and Toni Kroos (114) could be reeled in if Julian Nagelsmann’s side go all the way.
They may very well do that with Kimmich pulling the strings, even if he is now likely to do so from right-back, the position he made his breakthrough with Bayern in.
Watch: A tactical look at the right-back Kimmich was
Kimmich began his career in the VfB Stuttgart academy, where he formed lasting friendships with future Germany teammates Serge Gnabry and Timo Werner, but it was RB Leipzig that gave his senior debut – in the 3.Liga with the Saxony club early on their ascent up the German football pyramid.
His Bundesliga debut followed two years later, with Bayern having snagged him from Leipzig midway through their final promotion campaign. Pep Guardiola famously remonstrated with Kimmich after a stand-in performance at centre-back, but it was on the right flank where he made his name, even being voted the UEFA Champions League Defender of the season in 2019/20.
But with Thiago Alcântara Liverpool-bound at the end of that campaign – one that brought an intercontinental sextuple – Kimmich seized his chance to succeed the former Spain international in central midfield.
In the years since, Kimmich has grown in stature, on the field and in the dressing room. He has racked up 22 trophies in his nearly 500 appearances with Bayern, and now captains club and country with Manuel Neuer injured in the case of the former, and no longer available for the latter.
Watch: Kimmich, a legend in the making
Kimmich played right-back for Germany on their run to the UEFA Euro 2016 semi-finals. When asked if he would stay there despite now starring for Bayern from central midfield earlier this month, Nagelsmann simply replied. “Yes, that’s how it will stay.”
Now that Felix Nmecha is injured, Germany could yet need Kimmich’s ability in more than one position. It might be a welcome positional dilemma for Nagelsmann – Kimmich is a jack of all trades and master of some; among the best in the world wherever he plays.
Germany’s opponents this summer – Curaçao, Côte d'Ivoire and Ecuador in Group E and whomever else beyond – have been warned.
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