J. Kimmich

13 fun facts about Joshua Kimmich

Abhinav Nair
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Everything you need to know about Germany and Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich.

Joshua Kimmich is a professional football player from Germany who is widely recognized for his versatility, technical ability, and tactical intelligence. Born on February 8, 1995, in Rottweil, Germany, Kimmich has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the world.

Kimmich began his youth career at VfB Bosingen before joining the youth academy of VfB Stuttgart. In 2013, he signed a contract with RB Leipzig, where he made his professional debut in the 2. Bundesliga. Kimmich's impressive performances attracted the attention of Bayern Munich, and in the summer of 2015, he joined the German giants.

At Bayern Munich, Kimmich quickly made a name for himself with his exceptional work rate, technical skills, and versatility. He initially played as a right-back but gradually transitioned into a central midfield role. Kimmich's ability to read the game and make precise passes earned him comparisons to former Bayern captain Philipp Lahm.

Kimmich's intelligence and adaptability have made him a key player for both Bayern Munich and the German national team. He has won numerous domestic and international titles throughout his career. With Bayern Munich, he has won multiple Bundesliga titles, DFB-Pokal trophies, and the UEFA Champions League. He was also instrumental in Germany's victory at the 2017 Confederations Cup.

Individually, Kimmich has received several accolades, including being named in the UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season and the FIFPro World XI. He has also been nominated for the FIFA FIFPro World XI and the UEFA Team of the Year. In addition, he has been recognized as the German Footballer of the Year.

Here are 13 fun facts about Joshua Kimmich you need to know.

Editors' Picks

  1. Started his career with Gnabry and Werner

    Kimmich was a part of VfB Stuttgart's highly renowned academy, where he spent a considerable amount of his youth career. At Stuttgart, he was teammates with future national side colleagues Timo Werner and Serge Gnabry.

    While he never reunited with Werner at RB Leipzig, with the forward joining the club a year after Kimmich left, he met Gnabry again at Bayern Munich when the former Arsenal winger joined in 2018.

  2. Was not considered good enough at Stuttgart

    While he rose through the academy levels during his early years at Stuttgart, the senior staff did not consider him good enough to even make it to the club's reserves squad. "'You're not good enough, your body is not strong enough,' the coaches told me, adding that I needed another year with the youth team," said Kimmich in an interview regarding his early playing days.

    However, he did not let their criticism get to him and used it as motivation to move on and excel elsewhere. Coincidentally, the coach who scouted him for VfB Stuttgart also happened to move to RB Leipzig, who wasted no time in signing Kimmich, and as they say, the rest is history.

  4. Pep Guardiola chose him

    While the coaches at VfB Stuttgart may not have recognised the 2020 Champions League winner's potential, one Pep Guardiola who was the manager of Bayern Munich in 2015 saw the talent stored within Kimmich.

    Midway through Kimmich's first season in 2. Bundesliga, Guardiola, and the midfielder had a meeting where the Spanish coach immediately convinced him to join Bayern Munich. While the former Barcelona manager left for Manchester City in 2016, he still remains a great influence on the player.

  5. Has won the Bundesliga every season

    Since making his Bundesliga debut for Bayern Munich in 2015-16, Kimmich has won the league title in each of his eight seasons so far, making him a legend in German football at the ripe age of 28.

    The closest Kimmich's league streak came to being stopped was during the 2022-23 season when Bayern Munich almost lost the title to rivals Borrusia Dortmund until a last-minute winner from midfielder Jamal Musiala against FC Koln on the last matchday.

  7. A jack of all trades

    Kimmich has established himself as one of the best defensive-midfielders in football today, however, he has been as phenomenal when playing as a right-back for Germany, and as a centre-back under Guardiola at Bayern Munich.

    Both Guardiola and AS Roma manager Jose Mourinho have been impressed with the player's versatility, with the former believing he was one of the best centre-backs in the world when he played Kimmich in that position.

  8. A hero off the pitch

    While Kimmich is definitely a hard-worker on the pitch for both club and country, he came through beyond it too when the world was shocked by the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

    Along with teammate Leon Goretza, Kimmich started the WeKickCorona initiative, designed to help charitable associations and social institutions affected by the pandemic and associated lockdowns.

    They were helped in their initiative by the likes of Bayern Munich teammate Leroy Sane, RB Leipzig defender Lukas Klostermann and Borussia Dortmund centre-back Mats Hummels.

  9. Assisted the Champions League winning goal
    Getty Images

    Assisted the Champions League winning goal

    Kimmich further cemented his name in Bayern Munich's legacy, when he provided a pinpoint cross for teammate Kingsley Coman to head in the winner against PSG in the 2020 Champions League Final.

    The goal also ensured that Bayern Munich ended the season as treble winners, a feat achieved by very few clubs in the history of European football.

  10. Never seen a red card for Bayern Munich

    Despite playing in multiple defensive positions and having a highly intense style of play, Kimmich has never seen a red card in his career with Bayern Munich so far.

    The only time the German midfielder was sent back to the dressing room was when he played for VfB Stuttgart's U19 team.

  12. Broke Beckenbauer's record
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    Broke Beckenbauer's record

    While Kimmich has achieved many great feats with Bayern Munich, he has made a mark with the German national side as well. In 2017 the midfielder broke German legend Franz Beckenbauer's record of most consecutive appearances for the national side.

    During the months of June 2016 and October 2017, Kimmich made 24 consecutive appearances for Germany which saw him break Beckenbauer's record.

  13. Compared to Lahm and Gundogan
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    Compared to Lahm and Gundogan

    Kimmich is one of the many great midfielders to have been produced by Germany, and he has often been compared to some of the greats to have played for the nation.

    Two such legends whom Kimmich has been compared to are former Bayern Munich captain Phillip Lahm and Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.

  14. Looks up to Xabi Alonso and Xavi

    While he has been compared to Lahm and Gundogan, the Bayern Munich midfielder himself looks up to Spanish legends Xavi and Xabi Alonso.

    In particular, Kimmich has stated how he modelled his game after the Xavi and tries to replicate the Barcelona legend as much as he can.

  15. Has won the German Player of the Year twice

    Kimmich was rewarded for his performances in 2017 and 2021 by being awarded the German Player of the Year in both years.

    In 2017 he helped Germany win the 2017 Confederations Cup, while in 2021 he was coming off a year that saw him win four trophies with Bayern Munich.

  17. Seems to have found a post-playing career

    Kimmich seems to be looking to diversify his already wide array of skills and is looking to make a name for himself in television and film.

    In March 2023 the Bayern Munich midfielder featured in the German Crime series Tatort, thus making him a part of a select few footballers who have appeared on the big screen, joining the likes of Eric Cantona and David Beckham.