Germany’s national team recently appointed Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich as their new captain. This decision came after the retirement of several senior players following Euro 2024, including previous captain Ilkay Gündogan. Kimmich will lead the team with vice-captains Antonio Rüdiger and Kai Havertz by his side.
Although Kimmich has not been a permanent captain for either Bayern Munich or the national team before, he has often filled in when needed due to injuries or unavailability of other players. The 29-year-old has previously captained Germany in friendlies and has worn the armband 17 times in his 91 international appearances.
With Gündogan retiring from international duty, Germany’s coach Julian Nagelsmann sees Kimmich as the “logical successor” to take over the captaincy. This decision comes after key players such as Manuel Neuer and Thomas Müller also announced their retirement from the national team following Euro 2024.
Despite the high-profile retirements, Nagelsmann has only included one uncapped player in the squad for the upcoming Nations League matches. Additionally, Barcelona’s Marc-André ter Stegen has been named as Germany’s new starting goalkeeper, replacing Neuer as the team prepares for the 2026 World Cup.
Nagelsmann emphasized the need for continuity within the team despite the significant changes in personnel. Kimmich’s appointment as captain represents a new era for the German national team, one that aims to blend established stars with emerging talents to maintain their competitive edge on the international stage.
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