Joshua Kimmich put FC Bayern on the path to victory with a spectacular goal in their 2-1 road win against Mainz 05. But for the 31-year-old, his first goal of the season was far more than just a sporting achievement. After scoring the opening goal, the midfielder celebrated emotionally, paying tribute to his recently deceased father.
In the 14th minute, Kimmich took a shot from the edge of the penalty area off an assist from Harry Kane and blasted the ball powerfully under the crossbar. The DFB captain then leaped into the air, looked up, and pointed a finger toward the sky.
After the final whistle, Kimmich explained to DAZN the special significance this moment held for him. “Given what happened with my dad, it was naturally very emotional,” said the Bayern star. Immediately after scoring, he said he couldn’t help but think of his father.
Kimmich Talks About His Emotional Goal Celebration
His father’s death had hit Kimmich hard in recent weeks. As a result, the midfielder had temporarily stopped playing for FC Bayern and missed the competitive matches against Arsenal, SC Freiburg, and 1. FC Magdeburg.
It wasn’t until the 2-2 draw against Borussia Dortmund in late October that the 31-year-old made his comeback. Even then, Kimmich had spoken openly about how difficult returning to the soccer field had been for him.
This made his first goal since his tragic personal loss all the more emotional. “It’s not like I score that many goals anyway,” Kimmich added with a wink after the Mainz game.
In fact, scoring goals isn’t one of the midfield playmaker’s main responsibilities. That made his precise finish—which gave Bayern an early lead—all the more remarkable.
For Kimmich, however, it was likely less the quality of the goal and more its personal significance that took center stage.
Bayern star raves about the team’s camaraderie
In addition to his emotional goal celebration, Kimmich also spoke about the support he has received in recent weeks.
Right after his comeback against Dortmund, the national team player had emphasized how important the support from FC Bayern and the German Football Association had been for him and his family.
After the victory in Mainz, he again highlighted the special sense of unity within the club.
In Kimmich’s view, something special has developed in recent years between the team, the coaching staff, and the entire organization.
Above all, the 31-year-old finds the calm within the club to be refreshing. In earlier phases of his Bayern career, he said, there had been repeated unrest even during periods of sporting success.
On the field against Mainz, Kimmich once again underscored his importance to the team. In addition to scoring the opening goal, he was a key playmaker in midfield and took charge in one-on-one battles.
Lennart Karl extended the lead to 2-0 after the break, before Phillip Tietz scored a consolation goal for the hosts in stoppage time.
With this narrow away victory, Munich heads into the final international break of the year as league leaders.
For Kimmich, however, the afternoon in Mainz will be particularly memorable for another reason: His dream goal and the subsequent glance toward the sky were a moving tribute to his late father.