Joshua Kimmich, Bayern Munich’s midfield general, opened up for the first time about the sudden death of his father, Berthold Kimmich, after Saturday’s 2-2 Bundesliga draw with Borussia Dortmund. It’s been an incredibly tough week for him and his family, following his father’s passing at just 57 years old.
The Pitch Becomes the Hardest Place
Kimmich, who led the team as captain in his return after missing three games, made it clear just how deep the pain runs. “The past week has been very hard for my family, and for me as well,” he shared. He spoke of his dad as his absolute rock, someone who was “always there for me. He was always by my side. He always supported me and believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself.” For Kimmich, being on the pitch isn’t a distraction, it’s actually where the grief hits hardest. “That’s why it’s really difficult to come back. Because when I’m out on the pitch, that’s actually when I think about him the most,” he said. Can you imagine the strength that takes, to play a high-stakes match while battling that kind of emotional weight?
Pushing Through the Unimaginable
Despite the overwhelming sorrow, Kimmich felt it was crucial to get back to his routine. “It was important to come back, to try to get back into a normal daily routine,” he explained, acknowledging that sometimes you just wish “the world would just stand still for a bit. But unfortunately, and fortunately, it keeps moving.” He’s grateful for the outpouring of support too. “The support from the club, the DFB (German Football Federation), and everyone around us was very special. It meant a great deal to me,” Kimmich added, happy to be back with his teammates and receiving sympathy and condolences. Nico Schlotterbeck of Dortmund even embraced him after the match, showing the respect and humanity within the game during such a raw moment.
What an absolute warrior. To play at that level, captaining your team through a tough derby, while carrying such immense personal grief? That’s next-level mental fortitude. As Kimmich tries to navigate this unimaginable loss and find his “normal daily routine” on the pitch, every game he steps into will be a testament to his father and his own incredible resilience. We’re all rooting for him as he continues this difficult comeback.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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