In the world of modern football, few players embody the concept of the “complete footballer” as thoroughly as Joshua Walter Kimmich.
Since he arrived at Bayern Munich in 2015, Kimmich has transformed from a promising young prospect into a global icon. But what exactly is Joshua Kimmich famous for?
Whether it is his unmatched tactical versatility, his vocal leadership on the pitch, or his historic role in Bayern’s 2020 sextuple-winning season, Kimmich has carved out a unique legacy in the sport.
This blog post dives deep into the career, style of play, and off-field impact of the man often described as a “Swiss Army knife” on the football pitch.
Tactical Versatility: The Modern “Swiss Army Knife.”
Perhaps the most significant reason Joshua Kimmich is famous is his extraordinary ability to play multiple positions at a world-class level.
While most players specialize in a single role, Kimmich has excelled as a right-back, a defensive midfielder, and even a make-shift center-back.
Initially, under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, Kimmich was utilized in as many as eight different positions, serving as a “crash course” in becoming a total all-rounder.
He famously filled gaps in central defense during injury crises in 2016, displaying a level of composure that belied his age.
Despite standing just 1.77 meters tall, he used his tactical intelligence to hold his own against much larger attackers.
Today, he is primarily recognized as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world, though he frequently returns to the right-back position for both club and country when the team requires it.
His versatility is so renowned that he was named the UEFA Champions League Defender of the Season for 2019/20, despite often expressing that his preferred position is in the center of the park.
The 2019/20 Continental Treble and That Iconic Assist
Kimmich’s fame reached new heights during the 2019/20 season, a campaign that saw Bayern Munich win the continental treble (Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and UEFA Champions League). Kimmich was a pivotal figure in this historic run, which eventually culminated in a “sextuple” of six trophies in a single year.
He is specifically famous for his decisive assist in the 2020 Champions League Final against Paris Saint-Germain.
In the 59th minute of a tense, scoreless match, Kimmich received a pass from Thomas Müller and delivered a perfectly weighted cross to the far post.
The ball found the unmarked Kingsley Coman, who headed it home for the game’s only goal. This moment cemented Kimmich’s reputation as a “big-game” player who can deliver under the highest pressure.
Succeeding the Legend: The “New Philipp Lahm.”
Almost from the moment he arrived in Munich, Kimmich was compared to the legendary Bayern and Germany captain, Philipp Lahm.
Following Lahm’s retirement in 2017, Kimmich took over his position at right-back and mirrored many of Lahm’s most famous traits: impeccable technique, tactical discipline, and the ability to transition seamlessly between defense and midfield.
Like Lahm, Kimmich is famous for his footballing intelligence. Technical observers and former coaches, including Guardiola, have praised him for always being “aggressive toward the ball” while maintaining the vision to know when to charge forward and when to sit back.
This comparison has been a constant theme throughout his career, as he inherited both Lahm’s role on the pitch and his status as a pillar of the German national team.
Vocal Leadership and “Aggressive” Mentality
Kimmich is not just famous for his feet; he is famous for his voice. He exudes a natural authority on the pitch, often seen barking out orders to teammates, driving the team forward during difficult moments, and taking younger players under his wing.
His unbreakable desire to win is a hallmark of his public persona. One of his most famous goals—the winner in the 2020 Supercup against Borussia Dortmund—perfectly illustrated this “fighting” nature.
After his initial shot was saved, Kimmich engaged his full strength to force the ball over the line while falling to the ground, a goal later voted by fans as the club’s Goal of the Season.
This “mentality monster” reputation has led to him being appointed as the captain of the German national team as of September 2024.
Statistical Dominance: The “Running Machine.”
For data-driven football fans, Kimmich is famous for his extraordinary work rate and endurance. He is frequently referred to as a “running machine” because he simply does not stop moving.
- Distance Covered: In recent Bundesliga seasons, Kimmich has consistently ranked among the top players for distance covered, averaging 12.6 kilometers per 90 minutes.
- Ball Possession: He is the engine of the team, often averaging over 100 touches per match.
- Passing Precision: No central midfielder in Europe typically plays more passes into the attacking third or creates more shots on goal than Kimmich. He is also famous for his long-ball accuracy, shifting play to the wings with pinpoint delivery.
Technical Mastery: “La Pausa” and Playmaking
Beyond his physical endurance, Kimmich is famous for a specific technical trait known as La Pausa. This is the capacity to slow the game down while in possession, assessing the movement of teammates and opponents before choosing the most devastating pass.
This selfless vision is rare for a player who often operates in deep defensive areas. Kimmich is “brave” with his passing, frequently eschewing simple lateral passes in favor of aggressive, vertical balls that bypass the opponent’s defensive lines.
Whether it is a lofted pass over the top or a sharp diagonal ball to the opposite wing, Kimmich’s distribution is a major asset that splits defenses apart.
Off-Field Impact: “We Kick Corona.”
Joshua Kimmich’s fame extends beyond the stadium through his significant philanthropic work. In March 2020, at the height of the global pandemic, Kimmich and his teammate Leon Goretzka founded “We Kick Corona”.
The pair personally donated €1 million and mobilized other athletes to raise more than €5 million to support charitable, social, and medical institutions struggling with the consequences of the pandemic.
This initiative helped support over 400 projects, demonstrating Kimmich’s commitment to being a role model and taking responsibility as a citizen.
While he faced public debate regarding his initial hesitancy to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, he later expressed regret for his decision after experiencing the effects of the virus himself, further keeping him in the public spotlight.
A Career of Constant Silverware
Finally, Joshua Kimmich is famous for being a serial winner. Since joining Bayern Munich, he has amassed an incredible collection of trophies, including:
- 9 Bundesliga titles (winning every season from 2015/16 through 2022/23, and again in 2024/25).
- 3 DFB-Pokal titles.
- The UEFA Champions League (2019/20).
- The FIFA Confederations Cup with Germany (2017).
- The FIFA Club World Cup (where he won the Bronze Ball).
By the age of 31, he had already earned over 100 caps for the German national team, a milestone he reached in June 2025 against Portugal.
Conclusion
Joshua Kimmich is famous for being the ultimate “Master of All”. He has successfully combined the grit of a defensive enforcer with the vision of a world-class playmaker. Whether you remember him for the pinpoint cross that won the Champions League or his tireless running across the Allianz Arena pitch, Kimmich remains one of the most influential and respected figures in modern football.
As he continues to lead Bayern Munich and the German national team, his legacy as a versatile, intelligent, and vocal leader is already firmly secured in the history books.
