After consecutive group stage exits left doubt hanging over Germany, Joshua Kimmich says the German national team’s priority at the World Cup is to restore pride—pushing for excitement and joy, with the captain feeling a “special” responsibility to turn squad
Joshua Kimmich is used to carrying expectations at Bayern Munich, but the weight feels different when he puts on the Germany armband.
After consecutive group stage exits, Germany arrive at the World Cup facing something harsher than pressure: doubt. And as captain, Kimmich says the job now is to make people believe again—starting with how the team plays, and ending with how the country feels.
“We want to make Germany proud again. That’s our biggest goal. We know that we are representing our entire country here,” Kimmich told Bild (as captured by @iMiaSanMia). “You can feel that playing a major tournament for Germany is something completely different. We have a huge opportunity to create excitement and joy in Germany.”.
In his view, the responsibility isn’t abstract. “As captain, my role has become a bit more special,” he said. He described “positive energy within our squad,” and said that if Germany “give our best, play with heart, determination and passion,” that energy could travel far beyond the pitch.
Kimmich reaches for a memory that goes straight to the emotions of fans. He believes the team can create a national moment similar to the one from 2006. “If we give our best… we may be able to transfer that energy to the whole country and provide a similar impulse to the one created by the 2006 World Cup. ” he said. “I experienced that World Cup as a kid and was able to witness it firsthand.”.
He also doesn’t pretend the tournament will be smooth. “There will also be moments when we suffer on the pitch,” Kimmich said. “Knowing that the country is behind us can help us enormously.”
Even if the draw turns out to be favorable, he expects skepticism to linger—until Germany show clear signs of progress. “Even with a favorable draw, the doubts — and doubters — will be there until the Germans show some signs of progress,” the comments continue in the same message of urgency.
So the plan, for Kimmich, is not just to play his part. It is to do “everything he can to help make people believe in the squad once again,” while trying to turn what the country is feeling now into something else—excitement, joy, and momentum that can outlast the hard moments.
Joshua Kimmich Germany national team World Cup captain Bild 2006 World Cup Bayern Munich group stage exits
So he’s gonna make us proud again huh
I mean after group stage exits people are gonna doubt… but “joy” sounds like PR. Hopefully they actually play better and not just say the right words.
Not gonna lie I thought Kimmich already did his part with Bayern, but Germany is different I guess. The captain line is cute though, like the whole country depends on one dude hitting passes. Also 2006 was so long ago, not sure how you recreate that vibe.
Doubts will linger? Yeah no kidding. These interviews always sound the same, like “special responsibility” and “positive energy” but then they fold when it matters. I swear Germany always gets hyped up and then acts shocked when they don’t score. Maybe they should worry less about “making Germany proud again” and more about the defense, idk.