Joshua Kimmich - A Detailed Overview
Early Life and Education
Joshua Kimmich was born in Rottweil, Germany, on February 8, 1995. He developed a keen interest in soccer at a very young age and was enrolled in the youth academy at VfB Stuttgart. Despite having a wide array of sporting activities available, Kimmich stuck to football and began carving a path to professional play from a young age. Owing to his football commitments, he didn't pursue higher education but instead spent his teenage years honing his skills on the football pitch.
Club Career
Kimmich spent his youth career at VfB Stuttgart, which he joined in 2007 and stayed until 2013. However, he never made a senior appearance for Stuttgart as he moved to Red Bull Leipzig (RB Leipzig) in 2013, where he spent two seasons. His impressive performance at RB Leipzig caught the attention of Bayern Munich and he was signed by the Bavarian club in 2015. Kimmich quickly rose through the ranks and became a first-team regular, often hailed as the successor to legendary player Phillip Lahm. Throughout his tenure with Bayern Munich, Kimmich has shown versatility by playing numerous positions including right back, center back, and central midfield. As part of Bayern Munich, Kimmich has enjoyed fabulously successful seasons, winning several Bundesliga championships, DFB-Pokal, as well as the coveted UEFA Champions League in 2020.
International Career
Kimmich's international career started with Germany's junior teams. He participated in the UEFA European Under-19 Championship in 2014 and the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in 2015. He made his senior team debut for Germany in 2016, making a mark with his performances in the European Championship that same year, where Germany made it to the semifinals. He has since become a prominent figure in the German national team, providing crucial support both in defense and attack. He was also part of the 2018 World Cup team.
Playing Style
Joshua Kimmich is praised for his versatility on the pitch. Initially known as a defensive midfielder, Kimmich has evolved into more varied roles, most notably as a right back and center back. His technical skills, work-rate, and his ability to read the game allows him to be positioned anywhere across the defensive and midfield lines. Kimmich's vision coupled with his knack for positional play makes him a valuable asset for both his club and national team. As a midfielder, he is valued for his impressive passing range, ability to control the game’s pace, and set up decisive passes. In defense, his skills include impeccable tackling and the ability to nullify threats from opposition attackers.
Awards and Achievements
Throughout his career, Kimmich has accumulated numerous accolades for his performances. He has been instrumental in Bayern Munich's numerous Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal wins, and played a significant role in their 2020 UEFA Champions League win. Individually, he was named in the UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season in 2019-20 and won the Germany Footballer of the Year in 2020. Kimmich also gets regularly called up for Germany's international fixtures and has represented his country in both European Championship and the World Cup.
Personal Life
Joshua Kimmich is in a long-term relationship with Lina Meyer, who he met during his teenage years. The couple shares two children together. Off the field, Kimmich is known for his charitable works. Along with fellow player Leon Goretzka, he launched the 'We Kick Corona' initiative, a charity to help social and health institutions combating the COVID-19 pandemic. They initially donated 1 million Euro themselves and encouraged other athletes to contribute. The initiative raised over 5 million Euros in just a few weeks, showcasing Kimmich's determination to use his influence for positive change.
