After the 2-2 draw against Borussia Dortmund, Joshua Kimmich offered moving insights into what is likely the most difficult phase of his life. The FC Bayern midfielder, who had recently taken time off due to a family bereavement, spoke publicly for the first time after the Bundesliga classic about the death of his father. It became clear just how difficult it was for the 31-year-old to return to the soccer field.
Kimmich had missed the Champions League match against Arsenal, the Bundesliga game against SC Freiburg, and the cup match against Magdeburg. It wasn’t until Friday that the German national team player returned to team training. He was then immediately back in the starting lineup against Dortmund.
After the final whistle, however, the game’s outcome took a back seat for Kimmich. Instead, the Bayern star spoke about his special relationship with his father and what soccer means to him during this difficult time.
“My dad has been by my side my whole life.”
“My dad has been by my side and supported me my whole life. It was tough to come back. But life goes on,” Kimmich explained after the Derby.
The midfielder became particularly emotional when he spoke about how present his father is for him, even during a soccer match. “On the field, that’s when I think of him the most.”
With these words, Kimmich made it clear that the loss still weighs on him even as he returns to his everyday life in sports.
At the same time, the 31-year-old explained why it was important to him to be back on the field against Dortmund. “Still, it was also important for me to help the team today and to find a bit of normalcy again.”
Soccer thus allows Kimmich, at least for a short time, to focus on something else. Immediately after the game, he had already explained that during a match, one can forget personal worries—at least for a while.
On the field, the Bayern star showed great commitment during his comeback. On the goal that made it 2-1—scored by Dayot Upamecano—Kimmich set up the play with a delicate chip pass to Harry Kane.
Kimmich thanks Bayern and the DFB
The support from his personal and professional circles has been particularly important to the national team player over the past few days. “The club, the DFB, and everyone around us have been very supportive of my family and me over the past few days,” Kimmich emphasized.
The support at the funeral was something very special for him and his family. It showed him that he is in the right place at FC Bayern and on the national team.
At the same time, the record champions are also going through a difficult phase on the field. Head coach Vincent Kompany remains sidelined due to illness, and against Dortmund, Ismael Saibari, Serge Gnabry, and Michael Olise also had to be substituted due to injuries.
That’s why Kimmich had already called for unity within the team immediately after the “Derby.” “Now we’ll see if we’re a team, and we have to stick together,” the midfielder explained.
For Kimmich himself, the return against Dortmund was likely much more than just an ordinary Bundesliga match.
Returning to the field after suffering a devastating personal loss was an important step back into everyday life for the Bayern star. His words about his father, however, show that the past few days will stay with him for a long time to come.