Joshua Kimmich Then and Now
By Cornell Scott / August 18, 2025
As the football world enters 2025, few players embody leadership, versatility, and consistency quite like Joshua Kimmich. Now 30 years old and in the prime of his career, Kimmich has evolved from a promising full-back into one of the most complete midfielders on the planet—and the captain of FC Bayern Munich.
With a trophy cabinet that includes the UEFA Champions League, Bundesliga dominance, and a growing legacy as Germany’s midfield maestro, Joshua Kimmich stands as a symbol of tactical intelligence, relentless work ethic, and quiet authority.
Then: The Early Years – A Versatile Talent in the Making (1995–2015)
1. Roots in Germany’s Youth System
Born on February 8, 1995, in Rottweil, Germany, Joshua Kimmich grew up with a deep love for football. Despite being rejected by VfB Stuttgart’s youth academy for being “too small and weak,” he refused to give up. He joined VfB Stuttgart’s regional rivals, FC Bayern Munich’s feeder club SSV Reutlingen, before moving to RB Leipzig in 2013.
At Leipzig—then in the 3. Liga—Joshua Kimmich quickly made a name for himself. His tactical awareness, stamina, and precise passing stood out, and he helped the club achieve back-to-back promotions to the Bundesliga.
2. Breakthrough at RB Leipzig
In just two seasons, Joshua Kimmich became a key player for Leipzig, earning praise for his maturity, defensive discipline, and ability to initiate attacks from deep. By 2015, he was one of the most sought-after young defenders in Germany.
Despite interest from top clubs, it was FC Bayern Munich that secured his signature in July 2015 for €8.5 million—a move that would change the course of his career.
Related: Federico Valverde Then and Now
The Rise: From Full-Back to Midfield Master (2015–2022)
1. Early Days at Bayern – Right-Back Excellence
Under Pep Guardiola, Kimmich was initially deployed as a right-back, a position he mastered with astonishing speed. He combined:
- Impeccable positioning
- Intelligent overlapping runs
- Pinpoint crosses
- Tactical discipline
He quickly replaced Philipp Lahm as Bayern’s first-choice right-back—a monumental achievement given Lahm’s legendary status.
2. Positional Evolution – The Birth of a Hybrid Midfielder
As Bayern’s tactical needs evolved, so did Kimmich. Under managers like Carlo Ancelotti, Niko Kovač, and Hansi Flick, he began transitioning into a central or defensive midfielder, a role that maximized his strengths:
- Vision and long-range passing
- Game management and tempo control
- Press resistance and ball retention
- Leadership and composure under pressure
By the 2019–20 season, Kimmich had become a pivot in midfield, playing alongside Leon Goretzka and forming one of Europe’s most dominant midfield duos.
3. Historic Treble and Leadership Emergence (2020)
The 2019–20 season was Joshua Kimmich’s breakout as a world-class midfielder. He played a pivotal role in Bayern’s continental treble:
- Bundesliga (won with 82 points)
- DFB-Pokal
- UEFA Champions League – scored in the final against PSG
His performance throughout the campaign earned him a place in the UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season and solidified his status as one of Europe’s elite.
Related: Rodri Then and Now
Now (2025): Captain, Leader, and German Football’s Standard-Bearer
1. Captain of FC Bayern Munich
In 2023, following the departure of Manuel Neuer, Joshua Kimmich was officially named captain of FC Bayern Munich—a recognition of his leadership, loyalty, and influence on and off the pitch.
As captain in 2025, Kimmich leads a new-look Bayern side featuring stars like Harry Kane, Jamal Musiala, and Alphonso Davies. He balances his role as both tactical conductor and emotional anchor, guiding younger players with quiet authority.
2. Tactical Role and Playing Style in 2025
Now fully established as a central midfielder, Kimmich operates as a deep-lying playmaker or regista, often compared to legends like Xabi Alonso and Andrea Pirlo. His game is defined by:
- Pass accuracy (consistently over 90%)
- Long diagonal switches and through balls
- Defensive intelligence – breaking up play and shielding the backline
- Set-piece mastery – one of Bayern’s primary free-kick takers
Despite his age, Joshua Kimmich remains one of the fittest players in world football, covering over 11 km per game and maintaining elite physical conditioning.
3. Continued Domestic and European Success
Under Kimmich’s leadership, Bayern has remained dominant in Germany:
- Bundesliga Champions (2023, 2024, 2025) – extending their domestic reign
- DFB-Pokal Winner (2023, 2025)
- Consistent Champions League contenders, reaching the semifinals in 2024 and quarterfinals in 2025
Though the 2023 and 2024 Champions League campaigns ended in heartbreak, Kimmich continues to be the emotional and tactical core of a team striving for another European crown.
4. Record-Breaking Achievements (As of 2025)
By 2025, Kimmich has accumulated an extraordinary list of honors:
- 10x Bundesliga Champion (2016–2025, excluding 2021)
- 6x DFB-Pokal Winner
- 2x UEFA Champions League Winner (2020, 2023)
- FIFA Club World Cup Winner (2020, 2023)
- UEFA Super Cup Winner (2020, 2023)
- Germany Player of the Year (2020, 2023)
- Multiple inclusions in Bundesliga Team of the Season and UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season
He has also surpassed 400 appearances for Bayern Munich and is closing in on 70 caps for Germany.
Related: Lautaro Martínez Then and Now
International Career: Germany’s Midfield General
1. Key Figure in Die Mannschaft
Joshua Kimmich has been a mainstay for the German national team since his debut in 2016. He played crucial roles in:
- UEFA Euro 2016 – Germany’s semifinal run
- 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup – Germany won the tournament
- UEFA Euro 2020 and Euro 2024 – leadership role in midfield
- FIFA World Cup 2018, 2022, and 2026 qualifiers
Though Germany struggled in 2018 and 2022, the 2024 European Championship under Julian Nagelsmann marked a resurgence. Kimmich, now vice-captain behind İlkay Gündoğan, was instrumental in Germany’s run to the semifinals, praised for his calmness and control.
2. Leadership and Legacy in the National Team
With Gündoğan’s international retirement in 2024, Kimmich is widely expected to inherit the captaincy for the 2026 FIFA World Cup cycle—a natural progression for a player who embodies German football values: discipline, intelligence, and unity.
Related: Son Heung-min Then and Now
Personal Life and Character
Known for his modesty, professionalism, and family values, Kimmich is married to Lara Weber, and they have two children. He is deeply involved in charity work, particularly through the Joshua Kimmich Foundation, which supports children with rare diseases and promotes youth sports in Germany.
He is also known for:
- His tactical curiosity – often studying football analytics and coaching theory
- His mental resilience – overcoming injuries and criticism with focus
- His loyalty – having spent his entire professional career at Bayern after leaving Leipzig
In interviews, he frequently emphasizes team over individual, saying:
“I don’t play to be the star. I play to make the team better.”
Related: Bruno Fernandes Then and Now
Cultural Impact and Legacy (2025)
Joshua Kimmich represents a new archetype of the modern footballer:
- Positionally fluid
- Technically elite
- Tactically intelligent
- Emotionally mature
He’s not the loudest player, but he’s often the most important. His journey—from being cut by Stuttgart to becoming Bayern’s captain—is a powerful narrative of perseverance and belief.
He’s also a role model for young German players, proving that success comes not from flash, but from consistency, intelligence, and heart.
Conclusion: Joshua Kimmich – Then and Now (2025)
- Then: A teenage talent told he wasn’t strong enough, fighting his way through the lower leagues to earn a shot at greatness.
- Now: Captain of FC Bayern Munich, two-time Champions League winner, Bundesliga legend, and future captain of Germany.
As football enters a new era, Joshua Kimmich stands as a bridge between generations—a player who honors the past while shaping the future. Whether with a 60-yard pass, a last-ditch tackle, or a quiet word of encouragement to a teammate, he leads not with noise, but with purpose.
In 2025, Kimmich isn’t just playing football.
He’s defining it.
🏆 “Greatness isn’t in the headlines. It’s in the details—the pass no one sees, the run no one notices. That’s where the game is won.” – Joshua Kimmich
Related: Florian Wirtz Then and Now