Germany captain Joshua Kimmich is set to reach a significant career milestone, earning his 100th international cap when he leads the team against Portugal in Wednesday`s UEFA Nations League semi-final. This achievement places him in an elite group of German players, including his Bayern Munich teammates Thomas Müller and Manuel Neuer.
Upon reaching this century mark, Kimmich becomes just the 14th German player ever to do so. Notably, he will be the first player in this exclusive group to achieve 100 caps without having won a World Cup title. While he trails Neuer (124 caps, 5th all-time) and Müller (131 caps, 3rd all-time) in appearances, he is closing in on legendary figures like Franz Beckenbauer (103) and is only five caps away from the top 10 list, currently held by Jürgen Kohler (105).
Reflecting on the upcoming milestone, Kimmich commented, “These 100 international matches demonstrate that I`ve consistently performed at a high level over the past nine years, and that I`ve managed to stay healthy and fit throughout.”
Achieving 100 international caps is rare, but even maintaining health and fitness was uncertain for Kimmich in his early career, when his chances of reaching the Bundesliga seemed doubtful.
Kimmich recalls, “At 18, it wasn’t even about being good enough for the Bundesliga. Back then, the question at VfB [Stuttgart] was whether I could even succeed in the 3. Liga.” He added, “When I compare my development level then to that of the 17-year-olds training with us today, I honestly wasn`t close to being ready for the Bundesliga.” A pelvic issue at Stuttgart also threatened his career before his 2013 move to RB Leipzig, a pivotal step that launched his path to winning 22 major trophies. His potential first became evident during his two years at RB Leipzig.
Speaking about his time at Leipzig, then in Bundesliga 2, Kimmich stated, “For the first time, I truly experienced what it means to play for a professional team. It was focused on promotion, points, and financial incentives; everyone was eager to play and earn bonuses. That`s quite different from amateur football.” He emphasized the physical development gained there: “I needed those two years of transition in Leipzig for my body to adjust to senior football. I developed significantly physically there and prepared well for what came next.”
Following Leipzig, his move to Bayern Munich in 2015 and senior Germany debut in a pre-EURO 2016 friendly against Slovakia marked the next phase. This journey culminated in his appointment as national team captain by Julian Nagelsmann in February 2024, following Ilkay Gündogan`s international retirement. Nagelsmann explained the decision, “Josh was one of the three captains at the European Championship, so it`s logical that if the others aren`t available, he`s the leading candidate,” mentioning Antonio Rüdiger and Kai Havertz as other options. He described Kimmich`s approach: “Kimmich is someone who always gives his all, sometimes even too much. Someone who constantly strives to win.”
Kimmich`s intense desire to win is evident in his playing style. Despite this intensity, he maintains discipline on the international stage, having received only 11 yellow cards and no red cards for Germany, serving as a role model.
Goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, who witnessed Kimmich`s first time captaining the national team in a 2019 friendly against Argentina, praised him: “Jo is a great captain. He was already a leader before.” Ter Stegen added, “He`s contributed so much to German football. You can see how he lives and breathes the game.” Nagelsmann echoed this sentiment, stating, “Joshua brings a unique energy to the squad. His path to 100 caps highlights his work ethic and adaptability.”
Nagelsmann also alluded to Kimmich`s immense value, noting his consistent top-tier performances across various positions, including right-back, centre-back, and midfield – a trait highly beneficial to him and previous coaches.
While discussions about his optimal position continue, Kimmich remains focused on playing. Having recently extended his Bayern contract until 2029, potentially marking the end of his career, he is now eyeing another record: Lothar Matthäus`s national record of 150 caps.
Kimmich acknowledged the challenge: “Many things need to go right to surpass 150. You have to consistently stay healthy and maintain a high level. You need a supportive coach, and we need to advance further in tournaments than we have previously.” Kimmich has reached a EURO semi-final but has not progressed past the group stage in a World Cup. He added about Matthäus, “But he made his final international appearance at 39. That`s an impressive figure.”
