Kimmich on early career struggles: "It was being considered if I could make it in the 3. Liga" | OneFootball

Heading into Wednesday’s UEFA Nations League semi-final clash with Portugal, Joshua Kimmich is set to make his 100th appearance for Germany’s national team.

Looking back on his early years, the 30-year-old admits that such a milestone once seemed unimaginable.

“At 18, it wasn’t even about being good enough for the Bundesliga. Back then, it was being considered at VfB Stuttgart if I could even make it in the 3. Liga," Kimmich told Kicker.

The Germany captain acknowledged that he had physical shortcomings at the time. When his hopes of joining Stuttgart’s reserve team for pre-season training fell through, he made the decision to join RB Leipzig, who were playing in the third tier at the time.

“When I compare my level of development back then with that of the 17-year-olds training with us today, I have to honestly say I was nowhere near being ready to play in the Bundesliga.”

The fact that he is now approaching his 100th cap fills him with pride after a career with many ups and downs in the national team.

“These 100 international matches show that I’ve consistently performed at a high level over the past nine years - and that I’ve managed to stay healthy and fit throughout,” said Kimmich.