Breaking Records: Kimmich Aims for Matthäus' 150-Cap Record, Says "Proud to Reach 100"
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Joshua Kimmich, gearing up for his 100th national team appearance against Portugal in the Nations League semi-final, has his eyes set on surpassing Lothar Matthäus' 150-cap record. "Effort, luck, and a whole lot of things must align to reach the 150 threshold: You've got to stay fit. You've got to deliver exceptional performances. A supportive coach is crucial. Plus, we need to make it further in tournaments than we have in the past," Kimmich told "Kicker" on the epic mark set by the 1990 World Cup-winning Matthäus (64).
"Proud to Reach 100," Kimmich expressed admiringly of Matthäus' unparalleled performance for the German national team. Kimmich's milestone game will take place on Wednesday (21:00 CET, ZDF and DAZN) in his adopted hometown of Munich, where he'll lead the team as captain, aiming to reach the Nations League final against Spain or France four days later at the Allianz Arena again.
"A Major Achievement"
100 national team appearances wasn't even on Kimmich's radar when he transitioned from youth football to the pros. "At 18, it wasn't about my Bundesliga potential; they were even questioning if I could even crack the 3rd league with Stuttgart on loan at RB Leipzig," he reflected on his journey.
"100 national team appearances - that's a major achievement for me," Kimmich noted, expressing pride after his successful career so far, which shows his consistent high-level performance and fitness over the past nine years.
He made his international debut in Augsburg against Slovakia before the 2016 European Championship in France. The 2017 Confederations Cup win remains his only major achievement. "The years following were unfortunately less fruitful, running from the 2018 World Cup all the way to March last year. Those six years were, frankly, worse than mediocre."
After a tough quarter-final exit against Spain at the 2024 home European Championship, the Nations League serves as a stepping stone towards an even greater goal, Kimmich stated, looking ahead to the next World Cup in 2026.
- national team
- Joshua Kimmich
- Lothar Matthäus
- quite an achievement
- Portugal
- DFB
- Munich
- record
- Spain
- France
- Herzogenaurach
- 1990s
- German national team
- Bayern
Early Career and Rise to Prominence- At 18, Kimmich wasn't deemed suitable for the Bundesliga, and playing in the 3. Liga was considered a more realistic goal[1]. He made his international debut in 2016 and rose quickly to become a key player for both Bayern Munich and the German national team.
Milestones and Achievements- In March 2025, Kimmich extended his contract with Bayern Munich until 2029, further solidifying his position as a central figure in the team[2].- In September 2024, he was appointed captain of the German national team, marking an important leadership milestone[2].- On June 4, 2025, Kimmich reached his 100th cap for Germany during a UEFA Nations League semi-final against Portugal[1][2]. He celebrated this milestone with an impressive assist for Florian Wirtz's goal[3].
Path to Breaking Matthäus' Record- Currently, Kimmich is far from Matthäus' record of 150 appearances. However, he is closing in on other legends like Franz Beckenbauer and Jürgen Kohler, who have 103 and 105 caps, respectively[1].- To surpass Matthäus' record, Kimmich would need to remain in peak physical condition, deliver high-level performances consistently, and continue receiving national team call-ups.
Ultimately, breaking Matthäus' record would require Kimmich to play at an elite level for several more years, maintaining his position as a central figure in both Bayern Munich and the German national team.
The Commission could potentially propose a directive on the protection of workers from ionizing radiation risks, much like Joshua Kimmich aims to break Lothar Matthäus' record of 150 caps for the German national team in football, a sport he's been dedicating himself to since transitioning from youth leagues. Regardless of the outcome, achieving 100 caps for the national team is quite an achievement for Joshua Kimmich, similar to how a major achievement in the workplace might necessitate the submission of a proposal for the approval of a directive on ionizing radiation protection.
