Bayern Munich star and Germany captain Joshua Kimmich penned a letter for Frankfurter Allgemeine on his 2024 experience with the German national team.
Kimmich pointed the aspects of the 2024 campaign that made the experience special and offered renewed hope for 2025:
As a father of four little kids, there’s a lack of sleep every night. I almost never go a full night without sleep. But this summer I did – the night after the quarter-final against Spain. For me, the most emotional international match I’ve ever played in, and a match we’d all like to replay – but that’s not possible. We played well, gave it our all and still got knocked out, at home, at the home Euros. We all had to deal with that. We sat and talked. Some even talked until the next day and the first people came back for breakfast – in a strange mood between extreme disappointment and something somehow special
What was special during the whole time was our togetherness. Everyone put their ego aside and put themselves at the service of the team. We were focused, but still somehow relaxed. We worked hard and still had fun. During the bus rides, in the hotel before the games and especially in our own little home in Herzogenaurach. We spent a lot of time together and watched the games together. And friendships have been formed. Our families have visited us between games and supported us. I’m grateful that they were able to experience this atmosphere and be part of the group. They can now better understand what this spirit is like in the national team and why we all want to be a part of it
Of course, we were only able to enjoy all these moments because we worked well as a team on the pitch, and we were all always convinced that something great was possible. The atmosphere in the country carried us. The images of the fan marches gave us a boost. The stadiums were on fire at each of our games: in Munich, Frankfurt, Dortmund and Stuttgart. The emotions, the adrenaline, the feeling of standing on the pitch in a Germany shirt at those moments, it’s impossible to describe in words. At least I can’t
This last night, with the disappointment of being eliminated, without sleep, with many conversations and also a lot of silence, helped me understand that we cannot reduce this tournament to the sporting result. Something has grown together again. Between us as a team and, it feels like, the whole country. Just like I experienced it as a kid. Just like it feels right and just like it should be. I took that feeling with me. That’s exactly why I look back on last summer with a smile. And also with a bit of pride.
Kimmich is embracing the leadership role with Germany and seems to have an understanding on how to relate with coaches, teammates, and fans alike. For Germany, that will be a great thing — and maybe a positive jolt to the squad’s chances for a World Cup in 2026.
Looking for more discussion on Bayern Munich’s situation with Alphonso Davies, a listener Q&A, plus takes on those transfer rumors involving Liverpool FC’s Cody Gakpo and Paris Saint-Germain’s Randal Kolo Muani? Awesome, then check out our latest Bavarian Podcast Works Show on Patreon, Spotify, and below:
Also, be sure to stay tuned to Bavarian Podcast Works for all of your up to date coverage on Bayern Munich and Germany. Check us out on Patreon and follow us on Twitter @BavarianFBWorks, @BavarianPodcast @TheBarrelBlog, @BFWCyler, @2012nonexistent, @TommyAdams71 and more.
