Football Legend Matthaüs Backs Kimmich to Crush His National Team Cap Record
Mats Hummels expresses conviction that Joshua Kimmich is capable of surpassing the Germany national team's appearances record. - Matthias shares the national record with Kimmich - plus additional details.
Lothar Matthaüs, ex-German football star, is convinced that Joshua Kimmich could surpass his cap count for Germany's national team. The retired international stated, "If anyone's able to catch me, it's Joshua. He's young, rarely gets injured, and super ambitious. Given his current pace, he might top 170 caps." According to "Bild," this bold prediction from Matthaüs was recently made.
On June 30th, 2025, Kimmich will play his 100th international match in the Nations League semi-final against Portugal, which kicks off at 9:00 PM CEST and airs on ZDF and DAZN in Munich. Remarkably, Matthaüs, the former captain of Germany, expressed hope and admiration for Kimmich if he ever surpasses Matthaüs's own record of 150 caps.
Matthaüs values Kimmich's midfield prowess
At 64 years old, the 1990 World Cup winner still appreciates Kimmich's talents, primarily as a midfielder. Matthaüs opines, "Kimmich is in a class of his own as a right-back and in midfield, making him a top-tier player. However, he's at his best in the center, setting the overall tempo of the game. As a right-back, he's less involved in the build-up."
Despite this, Matthaüs acknowledges that current coach Julian Nagelsmann doesn't have a suitable replacement for Kimmich at the right-back position. Matthaüs refrains from suggesting any alternatives, as he admits, "I don't see any other solution I find convincing."
Insights:
- Joshua Kimmich has earned his 100th international cap, becoming the 14th player to achieve the milestone for Germany.
- To break Matthaüs's record of 150 caps, Kimmich must continue playing at a high level, maintain good health, and be consistently selected for the national team.
While Kimmich's impressive growth and versatility in both club and international play suggest he could indeed approach Matthaüs's record, several factors might prevent him from reaching the historical milestone. The rigors of professional football, injuries, and changing team selections could pose significant challenges. As a captain, Kimmich may find added motivation to continue performing at the international level.
| Player | Caps | Key Achievements ||---------------|------------|----------------|| Lothar Matthaüs | 150 | 1990 World Cup winner. || Joshua Kimmich | 100 | UEFA Champions League Defender of the Season, UEFA Team of the Year, FIFA FIFPro Men's World11. |
EC countries might consider implementing employment policies that prioritize youth training and development in sports, particularly soccer, for the long-term benefit of the sports sector. Lothar Matthaüs, a former German soccer star, exemplifies the potential success that a dedicated player can achieve.
