Germany captain Joshua Kimmich has issued an emotional statement pledging to continue his international career, ruling out retirement despite the devastation of another World Cup elimination at the hands of Paraguay.
The Bayern Munich midfielder, who converted his penalty during the decisive shootout but could not prevent defeat, shared his anguish with supporters on Instagram. “Right now I just feel empty and I don’t really feel like reaching out. But it’s part of it to face these situations as well,” the 31-year-old wrote. “Together, we had set out to play a very successful World Cup, to represent Germany with dignity, and to make a small contribution to a positive development in our country. And we failed. Again. And it destroys me.”
Kimmich, who also endured group-stage exits with Germany in 2018 and 2022, admitted the repeated failures carry heavy emotional weight. “As proud as I am to be the captain of this team and as special as it was for me to lead them into the tournament, the disappointment about how things went for us is just as big,” he added.
Defiance amid disappointment
Despite the pain, Kimmich made clear he will not walk away from international duty. “Giving up is never an option for me,” he stated on social media, though he acknowledged needing more than a few days to regain clarity.
Speaking to MagentaTV after the match, he reinforced this commitment. “I’ll always have the determination to make another attempt. What I will never do is give up,” he said. The captain reflected on his childhood memories of watching Germany compete in semifinals and finals, expressing regret that the current generation cannot offer similar moments to supporters.
Calls for accountability
Kimmich argued that every squad member must accept collective blame rather than distancing themselves from the failure. “We have to take responsibility – no one can distance themselves from it,” he told MagentaTV. “We have to own it, because we, the players who were on the pitch, are the ones who messed it up.”
He highlighted the broader national significance of the defeat, noting: “It’s a real shame, especially at a time when it would do us so much good to have something in Germany we can be proud of. Unfortunately, the national team isn’t that right now, and we all share responsibility for it.”
At 31, Kimmich remains central to Germany’s plans as they look to rebuild following three consecutive disappointing World Cup campaigns. His decision to continue provides crucial leadership and experience for the next international cycle.