Kimmich sets an example
His monster stride shook everyone awake
November 18, 2025 – 10:25 a.mReading time: 3 minutes
Joshua Kimmich’s tackle in the 6-0 win against Slovakia should make it into the sports annual reviews – also as a sign of the upcoming World Cup. It doesn’t work without effort. Let alone without Kimmich.
Joshua Kimmich was able to save himself the usual congratulatory message on his cell phone to goalscorer Nick Woltemade. The captain took care of this through the short official channels. First a preparer, then a well-wisher – overall the driver, the leader, the captain that the German national team needed on this memorable evening.
“I also told the boys, the World Cup is the greatest thing a player can have in his career, to be able to play in a World Cup for his country,” said Kimmich after the triumphant 6-0 win against Slovakia in Leipzig in the last and decisive World Cup qualifier. “In Germany people are not used to things being on the brink.” This time it was like that.
In fact, returnee Kimmich initiated the 6-0 win against when he hit a great cross onto Woltemade’s head. “I noticed as soon as he let go that he was coming very well for me,” emphasized the goalscorer of the 1-0. And the 23-year-old center forward then told a remarkable anecdote about employee leadership and humanity.
He hasn’t been there that long, emphasized Woltemade after only his eighth international match. “But, for example, I get a message from him after every game when I score a goal for Newcastle. That’s a small example.”
Kimmich provided a small example of how a captain can inspire a team on the pitch before the goal was set, when he made a spectacular tackle on the sideline – including winning the ball. “I think everyone wanted to make a statement today,” said the Bayern professional.
That’s another reason why Kimmich didn’t let himself be stopped from playing at all. He had to miss the 2-0 win in Luxembourg due to a capsule injury. There was no risk, he assured in Leipzig: “It’s a question of pain whether it works or not.”
Kimmich gritted his teeth and when he was substituted after an hour there was applause from the stands of the Red Bull Arena and a hug from the coach. “You could also sit back and say: ‘I’ll make sure I’m fit again at the club,'” emphasized Julian Nagelsmann: “But he gives everything for the club and for the national team and is rightly our captain.”