PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Joshua Walter Kimmich |
| Date of Birth | 08/02/1995 (Age: 31) |
| Place of Birth | Rottweil, Germany |
| Nationality | German |
| Height | 1.76–1.77 m / 5 ft 9½ in |
| Weight | 74–75 kg |
| Position | Defensive Midfielder / Right-back |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Current Club | Bayern Munich |
| Previous Clubs | RB Leipzig |
| International Caps | 100+ |
| International Goals | 5+ |
| World Cup Appearances | 2018, 2022, 2026 |
| Contract Until | 2029 |
| Market Value | — |
The Frozen Moment
The 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America represented a new chapter for Joshua Kimmich. At 31 years old, the Bayern Munich midfielder captained Germany at a World Cup for the first time, following Manuel Neuer’s retirement from international football in 2024.
Germany were drawn in Group E alongside Curaçao, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ecuador, a group Kimmich described as “solvable on paper” but not to be underestimated. Germany opened their campaign with a dominant 7-1 victory over Curaçao on June 14, 2026. Kimmich provided two assists in that match—one to Deniz Undav in the 78th minute and another to Jamal Musiala in the 47th minute.
But the tournament ended in disappointment. Germany were eliminated in the Round of 16, extending a run of underwhelming World Cup performances that had begun with group-stage exits in 2018 and 2022. Despite the early exit, Kimmich remained committed to the national team, expressing enthusiasm about working under new head coach Jürgen Klopp, who took over the DFB after the tournament. “I haven’t spoken with Klopp yet,” Kimmich said. “If I get the chance to work with him, I want to achieve results that German football fans can be proud of.”
Origins
Born on February 8, 1995, in Rottweil, Germany, Joshua Kimmich grew up in the Baden-Württemberg region. His football journey began in the youth ranks of VfB Stuttgart before moving to RB Leipzig in 2013.
Kimmich made his senior breakthrough at RB Leipzig in the 2013-14 season, making 26 appearances in the 3. Liga as the club finished second and secured promotion to the 2. Bundesliga. The following season, he made 27 appearances in the 2. Bundesliga, scoring two goals and providing one assist. His performances caught the attention of Germany’s biggest clubs.
The European Forge
RB Leipzig (2013-2015)
Kimmich’s senior career began at RB Leipzig, where he made 53 league appearances across two seasons. His 2013-14 season featured 26 appearances (25 starts), playing 2,070 minutes, scoring one goal and providing one assist. The 2014-15 season saw him make 27 appearances (23 starts), playing 2,083 minutes, scoring two goals and providing one assist. His versatility and technical quality were evident from an early stage.
Bayern Munich (2015-Present)
On July 1, 2015, Kimmich signed for Bayern Munich, beginning a tenure that would define his career. His debut Bundesliga season, 2015-16, saw him make 23 appearances (15 starts) and provide two assists, as Bayern won the Bundesliga title.
His breakthrough as a key figure came in the 2017-18 season, when he made 27 Bundesliga appearances (25 starts), scoring four goals and providing ten assists. He established himself as one of Europe’s most versatile and complete midfielders—equally capable at right-back or in central midfield.
Across his career at Bayern, Kimmich has won eight Bundesliga titles and the UEFA Champions League in 2020. He has made over 350 Bundesliga appearances, becoming a club legend and a leader on and off the pitch.
Contract Extension (2025/2026)
On March 13, 2025, Kimmich signed a new four-year contract with Bayern Munich, extending his stay until June 2029. The contract negotiations had been protracted—Bayern had reportedly withdrawn an earlier offer as talks dragged on. Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain had shown concrete interest in signing the German midfielder.
Kimmich chose to extend because Bayern offered him “the best environment to achieve my sporting goals.” He continued on the same wages—a gross salary of €20 million per year, or approximately €384,615 per week. Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen said: “His hunger remains strong… His determination and commitment embody what FC Bayern stands for. He’s going to build a bridge between our current generation and a new era.”
The 2025-26 Bundesliga season saw Kimmich make 29 appearances (24 starts), playing 2,280 minutes, scoring 2 goals and providing 8 assists. Kicker rated him as International Class (Rang 1) in the defensive midfield position, with an average rating of 2.75 across 28 rated appearances. He also made 13 Champions League appearances, playing 1,159 minutes, scoring 0 goals but providing 2 assists.
International Career
Kimmich made his senior debut for Germany in 2016 and has since become a cornerstone of the national team. His tournament record includes appearances at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, Euro 2020, and Euro 2024. However, Germany’s tournament performances have underwhelmed—the 2018 and 2022 World Cups both ended in group-stage exits.
Following Manuel Neuer’s international retirement in 2024, Kimmich transitioned into the primary leadership role. Speaking about his new role, he said: “I have a different role as captain than I did in the tournaments four or eight years ago.” He reflected on Germany’s recent tournament record: “The record is not good, but that doesn’t change the approach to the tournaments.”
Kimmich was officially named Germany captain for the 2026 World Cup. His leadership style, according to him, emphasises responsibility for the “big picture” both in sporting and personal terms. He demanded a clear commitment from every player: “We have to be able to identify with the way we play soccer together.”
In the 2025-26 season, Kimmich made appearances in several national team friendlies leading up to the tournament. He provided an assist for Kai Havertz against the United States on June 6, 2026, and for Deniz Undav against Finland on May 31, 2026.
At the 2026 World Cup, Kimmich was a starter in Germany’s opening match against Curaçao. Despite the tournament ending in the Round of 16, Kimmich remained committed to the national team, expressing excitement about working under new head coach Jürgen Klopp. He has amassed over 100 caps for Germany and has scored at least 5 international goals.
The Anatomy of His Game
Kimmich is a right-footed player defined by his versatility, intelligence, and work rate. At 1.76 metres and 74-75 kg, he possesses a compact frame that allows him to cover ground effectively and compete physically despite not being the most imposing midfielder.
In Possession
Kimmich’s technical quality is exceptional. In the 2025-26 Bundesliga season, he recorded 8 assists in 29 appearances. His passing range is extraordinary—he can switch play with long diagonal balls, play through the lines, and deliver pinpoint crosses from wide areas. His delivery from set pieces is a major weapon for both Bayern and Germany.
His goalscoring output has declined in recent seasons, but his 2 goals in the 2025-26 Bundesliga show he remains a threat. His 2017-18 season (10 assists in the Bundesliga) demonstrated his capacity to be among the league’s elite creators.
Out of Possession
Defensively, Kimmich is combative and intelligent. He reads the game well, making interceptions and disrupting opposition attacks. His work rate is exceptional—he covers significant ground and leads the press from the front. His versatility allows him to slot in at right-back or right wing-back when required.
Kimmich’s disciplinary record is generally good: he has received 50 yellow cards and 2 red cards across his 377 senior league appearances.
Psychological Edge
Kimmich’s mentality is his defining attribute. He is known for his relentless work ethic, his leadership, and his refusal to accept mediocrity. Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen highlighted his “determination and commitment.” Kimmich himself said: “His hunger remains strong.”
His ability to lead the national team during a transitional period, following the retirements of Manuel Neuer and other veterans, demonstrates his maturity. He has acknowledged Germany’s recent tournament failures but remains focused on the future, stating that consistency in approach is crucial: “It is a strength of a coach to be consistent. The situation on the outside always changes with victory and defeat, so consistency on the inside is important.”
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps (Starts/Subs) | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bundesliga | 29 (24/5) | 2,280 | 2 | 8 | 2.75 |
| UEFA Champions League | 13 (13/0) | 1,159 | 0 | 2 | — |
| FIFA World Cup | 3+ | — | 0 | 2 | — |
| Friendlies | — | — | 0 | 2 | — |
TABLE B: Career Overview
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-14 | RB Leipzig | 3. Liga | 26 | 1 | 1 |
| 2014-15 | RB Leipzig | 2. Bundesliga | 27 | 2 | 1 |
| 2015-16 | Bayern Munich | Bundesliga | 23 | 0 | 2 |
| 2016-17 | Bayern Munich | Bundesliga | 27 | 1 | — |
| 2017-18 | Bayern Munich | Bundesliga | 27 | 4 | 10 |
| 2018-19 | Bayern Munich | Bundesliga | 34 | 2 | — |
| 2019-20 | Bayern Munich | Bundesliga | 33 | 3 | — |
| 2020-21 | Bayern Munich | Bundesliga | 27 | 4 | — |
| 2021-22 | Bayern Munich | Bundesliga | 28 | 3 | — |
| 2022-23 | Bayern Munich | Bundesliga | 33 | 5 | — |
| 2023-24 | Bayern Munich | Bundesliga | 28 | 1 | — |
| 2024-25 | Bayern Munich | Bundesliga | 33 | 3 | 7 |
| 2025-26 | Bayern Munich | Bundesliga | 29 | 2 | 8 |
| TOTAL | — | — | 377 | 34 | 81 |
TABLE C: International Record
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Goals | Major Honours |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 3+ | 0 | Round of 16 |
| FIFA World Cup 2022 | — | — | Group Stage |
| FIFA World Cup 2018 | — | — | Group Stage |
| Germany Senior Career | 100+ | 5+ | — |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Professional Debut | Made first RB Leipzig appearance |
| 2015 | Bayern Munich Move | Signed for German giants |
| 2016 | Senior Debut | First Germany cap |
| 2017-18 | Breakthrough Season | 10 assists in Bundesliga |
| 2020 | Champions League Winner | Won with Bayern Munich |
| 2024 | Germany Captain | Named captain |
| 2025 | Contract Extension | Extended until 2029 |
| 2026 | World Cup Captain | Captained Germany at World Cup |
Trophy Haul
Kimmich’s career is distinguished by an extraordinary trophy collection:
Bayern Munich:
- Bundesliga: 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23 (8 titles)
- UEFA Champions League: 2019-20
- DFB-Pokal: 2016, 2019, 2020
- DFL-Supercup: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Individual:
- Kicker International Class: Winter 2025/26 (Rang 1)
The Present Tense
Joshua Kimmich is 31 years old and at the peak of his powers. He is a Bayern Munich captain, the Germany captain, and one of the world’s most complete midfielders.
The Bayern Munich Story
Kimmich has been with Bayern Munich since 2015, winning eight Bundesliga titles and the Champions League. He signed a new four-year contract in March 2025, extending his stay until 2029. He is earning a gross salary of €20 million per year, making him one of the highest-paid players in the Bundesliga.
His 2025-26 season was statistically impressive: 8 assists in the Bundesliga, an average rating of 2.75 from Kicker, and 13 Champions League appearances. Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen said: “His hunger remains strong… His determination and commitment embody what FC Bayern stands for.”
The World Cup Campaign
Kimmich captained Germany at the 2026 World Cup. Germany were drawn in Group E alongside Curaçao, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ecuador, and opened their campaign with a 7-1 victory over Curaçao. However, the tournament ended in the Round of 16. Questions were raised over senior players, including Kimmich, but he reaffirmed his commitment to the national team.
International Record
Kimmich has over 100 caps for Germany and has scored at least 5 international goals. He has represented Germany at three World Cups (2018, 2022, 2026) and three European Championships (2016, 2020, 2024). He became Germany captain in 2024 following Manuel Neuer’s international retirement.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Kimmich is defined by his leadership, his commitment to the team, and his refusal to accept mediocrity. He has spoken about the importance of consistency: “It is a strength of a coach to be consistent. The situation on the outside always changes with victory and defeat, so consistency on the inside is important.”
Kimmich has emphasised the importance of team unity over individual talent: “It is not important to have the best squad in the world, but the best team in the world.” His leadership style is described as responsible, demanding, and inclusive. He has praised new and emerging talents in the German squad, such as Felix Nmecha, describing him as “one of the most talented players we have” and praising his “extreme physicality, speed, and technical quality.”
He has acknowledged the responsibility of being captain: “You grow into a different role over the years. I have a different role as captain than I did in the tournaments four or eight years ago.”
The Verdict from the Camp
Jan-Christian Dreesen, Bayern Munich CEO:
“His hunger remains strong and that was clear to see again in the Champions League round of 16. His determination and commitment embody what FC Bayern stands for. He’s going to build a bridge between our current generation and a new era.”
Mario Basler, former Germany international:
Basler called for Kimmich to be dropped from the national team after the World Cup exit, arguing that Germany need to build a younger team ahead of Euro 2028. “For me, there is no doubt that four or five players no longer have a place in this team, including our captain,” Basler said. “Even Joshua Kimmich has to slowly realise that there is no future for him in the national team anymore.” However, Kimmich’s subsequent commitment to the national team suggests he intends to continue.
Joshua Kimmich (on Germany's World Cup ambitions):
“We are no top favourite because we have not delivered in the past tournaments. When the first match starts, it’s only about that match and nothing else, completely detached from how past tournaments went.”
Joshua Kimmich (on the 2026 World Cup group):
“We want to, must and will get through the group stage.”
Where Next?
Joshua Kimmich is 31 years old and under contract with Bayern Munich until 2029. His immediate future lies at the Bundesliga champions, where he has established himself as one of the most important players in the club’s history.
Club Outlook
Kimmich’s long-term contract with Bayern Munich reflects the club’s belief in his importance. He is expected to continue as a key figure in midfield, and may eventually succeed Manuel Neuer as Bayern captain. He will look to add to his eight Bundesliga titles and compete for the Champions League.
International Outlook
Despite calls from some quarters for his international retirement, Kimmich has reaffirmed his commitment to the Germany national team. He has expressed enthusiasm about working under new head coach Jürgen Klopp: “If I get the chance to work with him, I want to achieve results that German football fans can be proud of.”
The Euro 2028 qualification campaign will be a major opportunity for Kimmich to add to his 100+ caps and lead Germany back to the top of international football. His experience and leadership will be crucial for a team transitioning under a new coach.
The Journey Continues
From Rottweil to the World Cup, from RB Leipzig to Bayern Munich, Joshua Kimmich’s journey is one of exceptional talent, relentless work ethic, and leadership. The boy who made his debut in the 3. Liga is now a Bayern legend, a Germany captain, and a multiple title-winner. His story is far from complete, and the next chapter—under Jürgen Klopp—promises to be as compelling as the journey that brought him here.
