Germany national football team coach Julian Nagelsmann announced yesterday the appointment of Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich as the new captain of “Die Mannschaft”, succeeding Ilkay Gundogan, who retired from international football at the end of the last European Cup.
“Kimmich was a role model for the whole group,” Nagelsmann said at a press conference ahead of Germany’s Nations League match against Hungary in Dusseldorf. “He always gives his all, always wants to train, sometimes too much, never gets tired, always wants to win.”
Nagelsmann said Kimmich, 29, was the “number one” in a group of leaders in the national team alongside Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger and Arsenal striker Kai Havertz, adding that the three had “good communication” with the team.
Kimmich has been Germany’s vice-captain since September 2023, having been promoted to the role by former coach Hansi Flick and is one of the country’s most experienced players. The midfielder will be tasked with leading a new generation of German footballers, with Gundogan as well as 2014 World Cup winners Toni Kroos, Thomas Müller and Manuel Neuer all retiring from international football in recent weeks.
Kimmich began his career in the Stuttgart youth team alongside current national team teammates Serge Gnabry and Timo Werner, and moved to Leipzig in 2013, before joining Bayern in 2015.
He has made 91 appearances for Germany since making his debut in 2016, scoring six goals.
., and the latest political and economic developments via Google News
