Joshua Kimmich is facing renewed scrutiny following Germany's exit from the 2026 World Cup in the Round of 32. As a regular starter, Kimmich has now experienced three consecutive World Cups without advancing past the knockout stage, leading to intense debate over his role on the national team. The disappointment has intensified amid observations from recent international matches, where Kimmich and Felix Nmecha struggled in midfield before being replaced by Aleksandar Pavlović and Tom Bischof, who excelled in their absence.
Read More
Lothar Matthäus, a former Germany midfielder and World Cup champion, has publicly defended Kimmich. Following Bayern Munich's 6-1 victory over Rasenballsport Leipzig, Matthäus stressed Kimmich's leadership qualities, stating, “If you are a leader at Bayern Munich, you can take on that role in the national team as well.” He emphasized that Kimmich is well-respected and possesses not only leadership skills but also exceptional footballing ability, making him indispensable to both Bayern and the national squad.
Kimmich expressed gratitude for Matthäus’ support, acknowledging its significance given Matthäus's stature in football. Currently, Kimmich has spent over ten years at Bayern Munich and remains resilient despite the ongoing pressure related to his performance and the team's results. Matthäus hopes that discussions questioning Kimmich’s place in the team will come to an end, reiterating that Kimmich has the qualities needed to lead on the pitch.