Chasing History: Kimmich Aims to Match Matthäus' Record with Germany's National Team
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Get ready for an epic showdown! Joshua Kimmich, the 30-year-old Bayern star, is eyeing Lothar Matthäus' record of 150 international appearances with Germany's national team. With his 100th game set to take place in the Nations League semi-final against Portugal, Kimmich is inching ever closer to blazing a new trail.
"Reaching a record like that requires a lot of luck, hard work, and great performances," Kimmich said openly of Matthäus' 150 caps. On Wednesday, under the spotlights in his adopted hometown of Munich, the midfielder will make his historic 100th appearance as captain, with the ultimate goal of leading the team to the Nations League final against Spain or France.
Kimmich's journey to this milestone began surprisingly, considering his humble beginnings. Recalling his transition from youth football to the pros, he admitted, "At 18, I wasn't even thinking about being Bundesliga-ready. At Stuttgart, they were even contemplating whether I could make it in the third tier!" It's a far cry from where he stands today, breaking records and setting new standards.
His debut against Slovakia in a friendly before the 2016 Euros was the beginning of a remarkable career with the German national team. Winning the Confederations Cup in 2017 stands as his most significant achievement so far, but Kimmich remains unsatisfied. The six years following the 2018 World Cup have been something short of brilliant, averaging only mediocre performances.
However, Kimmich sees the Nations League as the stepping stone towards an even greater goal: the 2026 World Cup. After the disappointing quarter-final exit against Spain at the 2024 Euros, seizing every opportunity to shine with the national team is of paramount importance for the Bayern player.
- Joshua Kimmich
- German National Team
- Lothar Matthäus
- Portugal, Spain, France
- Kicker
- Munich
- 150 Caps
- 1990s
- 100th Cap
- World Cup
- Nations League
- Record
Enrichment Data:
- Key Factors: Kimmich's bid to break Matthäus' 150-cap record involves several essential elements, including consistency, staying fit, and securing regular appearances for the national team under the guidance of coach Julian Nagelsmann and team captain Leon Goretzka.
- Opponents: A series of high-profile matches against Portugal, Spain, and France await Kimmich in his pursuit of the record. These nations, due to their own strong football traditions, will undoubtedly provide stiff competition.
- Milestones: Kimmich's 100th cap is just the latest in a series of milestones. Should he continue on his current trajectory, more records and accolades may follow.
- Future Goals: With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, Kimmich sees the Nations League as a stepping stone towards achieving additional success on the international stage.
In light of his pursuit of Lothar Matthäus' record of 150 caps with the German National Team, Joshua Kimmich, captaining Bayern Munich, anticipates a challenging set of matches against opponents like Portugal, Spain, and France in the Nations League. With his 100th cap looming, the midfielder aims to leverage these encounters as a stepping stone towards breaking records and making a mark at the 2026 World Cup.
