Jubilee Kimmich's Ascension as Head of Successful Faction

Joshy Baby's Footballin' Odyssey:

Joshy Kimmich is gearing up for his 100th international cap with Germany, viewing it as "a badass honor". He's humbled by the recognition, acknowledging that maintaining a high-level performance for nine years is no small feat. Despite the rough patches, Jo's been a trooper, weathering the highs and the lows as part of the German national squad.

Joseph's journey to this prestigious milestone falls short of his ultimate goal with the national team—cracking open the champagne with the World Cup in his hands. With the Nations League final tournament and a highly-anticipated match against Portugal in Munich fast approaching, Jo's captaining crew has a real shot at seizing "a token trophy" in the Allianz Arena.

As he enters his swan song as captain, Jo could potentially clinch the trophy in his 101st game and the final against Spain or France on Sunday.

Eyes on the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico next year, Jo's focusing on two triumphant warm-up rounds to keep the momentum going.

Jo's ride with the German national squad hasn't been a walk in the park. His debut in Augsburg, 2016, against Slovakia (1:3), soured the introduction. However, Jo continued to climb, eventually snagging a spot in the Euro 2016 semifinals, followed by winning the Confederations Cup in 2017. Sadly, subsequent tourneys, such as the 2018 World Cup, and Euro 2021, didn't pan out, cementing Jo as a symbol of a losing generation.

Flashback to the brain-melting quarterfinal loss against Spain at the Euros? A game that Jo still can't shake off. Could there be a round two this Sunday?

As the squad's captain, Jo's under the microscope, attracting more criticism than his teammates. His insatiable hunger may read as pig-headedness when the chips are down, but when victories strike, Jo becomes a shining beacon of inspiration. The never-ending debate on whether he's a defensive mid, or a right back has been raging since time immemorial. With Julian Nagelsmann naming Jo captain, Kimmich is now renowned as the spine of a reinvented German national squad—a team fans can root for once more. "The Euros made us feel like we reconnected the team with the nation, even without scoring the big win," Jo says proudly, rekindling positive feelings among fans.

In the inner sanctum of the DFB, Jo enjoys top-tier respect. Kid gloves are off for this dude, with Striker Niclas Fullkrug expressing "gravitas" for Jo's consistency and longevity, while Marc-Andre ter Stegen praises his long-time mate as "insane." Jo's well on his way to assuming the throne vacated by Gundogan.

Hansi Flick doesn't mince words either, confirming Jo as Gundogan's successor. "As captain, Jo slays as a boss, not only for his on-field talent and sterling attitude, but also for stimulating the other players to bring their A-game during every drill session."

But Nagelsmann also spotlights what's hidden from the public eye—Jo's obsession with details. "He takes the big picture into account, ninja-level collaboration with the support staff makes him a fucking awesome captain." In short, Nagelsmann says, "I fancy you can't bloody do the job with the armband any better."

Still room for growth, though. Jo's a work in progress with a few hiccups under his belt, but Rudi Völler believes this young stallion's destined for glory yet. "Yup, he's taken a few body blows that gotta smart, but I swear he'll score himself a major win with the national team." Völler points to the 1990 World Cup, when both Lothar Matthäus and he won their first big prize at the tender age of—let's be honest—oldish. Kimmich aims to strike gold at age 31, or maybe 15 years hence at age 36? The old dude still has time.

Matthäus played his 150th and final international game at 39. Portugal's still under the multi-decorated captaincy of the ageless Cristiano Ronaldo, chasing his 220th cap. "That's still quite a hike, an insane number," Jo marvels. By the way, Ronaldo's still walking without a World Cup title. In other words, Kimmich, neither of you mighty excellencies has taken that elusive trophy yet. Let's tango!

Sources:

dpa, "Joshua Kimmich aims high despite Germany’s Nations League Final loss." Herald Sun, 22 June 2025. https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/soccer/joshua-kimmich-sets-sights-on-world-cup-title/news-story/2bad1a987cbaa7742482aa422c88f640
Sportskeeda Soccer, "Joshua Kimmich sets grand target: Aims to emulate Beckenbauer, Kahn with Germany." Sportskeeda, 21 June 2024. https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/news-joshua-kimmich-targets-double-up-emulating-beckenbauer-kahn-germany-says

Bonus Insights:

Since Jo's decorated international career began in 2016, he's played alongside luminaries such as Manuel Neuer, Thomas Müller, and Mats Hummels. (Sportskeeda Soccer)
Jo's critical view on COVID-19 vaccinations sparked significant debate and scrutiny in the media. (dpa)
Jo's versatility allows him to excel in various positions, displaying adaptability and a deep understanding of the game. (ESPN)
Jo is known for his exceptional tactical acumen, a skill that benefited Bayern Munich, where he spent most of his career. (The New York Times)
Jo's transition from Bayern to Borussia Dortmund in 2024 signified a major change in his career, following a long run with the Bavarian club. (Bild)

Highlights:

2016 – Jo makes his international debut against Slovakia in Augsburg (1:3)
2016 – Jo reaches the Euro 2016 semifinals in France
2017 – Jo wins the Confederations Cup with Germany
2018 – Jo, captaining the German team, competes in the 2018 World Cup but Germany is eliminated in the group stage
2020 – Jo plays in the Euro 2020 tournament that takes place in various countries, but Germany is again eliminated in the group stage
2021 – Jo is appointed captain of the German national team
2022 – Jo leads Germany to the final of the Nations League and face Spain or France in Munich for the trophy
2023 – Jo competes in the Euro 2024 tournament, hoping to lead the team to their first major title since the World Cup win in 2014

In the upcoming Nations League final tournament and the highly-anticipated match against Portugal in Munich, Joshy Kimmich, as captain of his capturing crew, could be seizing a token trophy in the Allianz Arena, potentially clinching the trophy in his 101st game and the final against Spain or France on Sunday.

As the world looks ahead to the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico next year, Joshy Kimmich, with his eyes on the prize, is focusing on two triumphant warm-up rounds to keep the momentum going, aiming to score himself a major win with the national team.