‘I had some serious self-doubt back then’ – Joshua Kimmich on his development | OneFootball

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Kicker, Joshua Kimmich discusses the self-doubt that he had while playing for Stuttgart’s youth teams. He would play 58 games for the U17 and U19 squad before switching to RB Leipzig but early in his career, Kimmich questioned whether or not he would make it as a professional footballer.

Kicker: Did you have self-doubt?

Kimmich: “I had some serious self-doubt back then, especially during my youth, but it wasn’t due to a lack of confidence in my abilities, but rather due to my body. I struggled with my pubic bone for four years during my youth. I often thought: ‘If I can’t get this under control even at 16, how am I going to make it to the top?’ The move to Leipzig was exactly the right move.”

Kicker: Why?

Kimmich: “Because for the first time, I truly experienced what it means to play for a professional team. It was all about promotion, points and money; everyone wanted to play and collect the bonus. That’s quite different compared to the amateur team. However, this physical issue was very much present for me in Leipzig, too. I managed to get my pubic bone under control, but I still had recurring muscular problems.”

Kicker: Given this, you have remained physically very stable over the past 10 years.

Kimmich: “I needed the two years of transition in Leipzig for my body to adjust to adult football. I developed enormously physically there and prepared well for what came next.”

On Wednesday, Kimmich is expected to earn his 100th cap for the German national team as Julian Nagelsmann’s side play Portugal in the UEFA Nations League finals. The 30-year-old has been a loyal servant to both Bayern Munich and Germany, winning a total of 22 trophies making him one of the most decorated players in football.

Kimmich signed a recent contract extension at Bayern Munich that will keep him at the club until 2029.

GGFN | Daniel Pinder