Mathys Tel spoke openly about his time at FC Bayern in a podcast and revealed which player impressed him the most at the German record champions. The French attacking player’s answer was clear: Joshua Kimmich
Speaking to French Twitch streamer and YouTuber Zakaria Haddad, the former Bayern professional described a scene from his first few days in Munich that particularly stuck in his memory. „The one who impressed me the most personally was Kimmich. His work ethic impressed me from the second day. Very military. He’s like a soldier,“ explained Tel
He was particularly surprised by the German international’s attitude in training. The midfielder takes even seemingly simple exercises extremely seriously. Tel recalled a passing exercise during a training session. Although it was just a casual exercise, Kimmich immediately placed great emphasis on concentration and precision. „We were doing a passing exercise – just a casual passing exercise – and suddenly he shouted: ‚Pass seriously‘,“ reported the Frenchman
Early lesson about Bayern’s mentality
Tel: „The one who impressed me the most personally was Kimmich… very military-like… His work mentality impressed me from day two. We were doing a passing exercise-just a chill passing exercise-and he suddenly screamed, ‚PASS SERIOUSLY!‘ @Zack_Nanipic.twitter.com/zLYBbpzgOc
– FCBinside.com – Bayern News (@FCBinsideEN) March 9, 2026
The scene quickly showed Tel the level and mentality required at FC Bayern. „I stopped joking and started to take it seriously. I thought to myself: ‚What a reception‘,“ explained the attacking player
The intensity in training impressed the then Bayern newcomer so much that he immediately informed his family and his advisor. „I called my agent straight away – and my family too – and told them: ‚Yes, they mean business here‘.“
With his uncompromising attitude, Joshua Kimmich has been regarded as one of the leading players at FC Bayern for years, and his mentality and ambition are repeatedly highlighted by many of his team-mates
Tel also makes it clear in the podcast what impression this professionalism has left on him. For the young Frenchman, the encounter with Kimmich was an early lesson in the standards that apply at the German record champions.
