JOSHUA KIMMICH’S rapid rise for Germany continues as he matches Franz Beckenbauer’s 44-year-old record for the national side.
The Bayern Munich man started and finished his 21st appearance for the World Cup champions in their 6-0 drubbing against Norway on Monday evening.
Beckenbauer racked up the number between 1973-1975, but Kimmich still has 13 games to go until he equals Berti Vogts’ 34 consecutive fixtures he made between 1968-1971.
The midfielder/defender has become an integral part of the side under Joachim Low, who deployed him as right-back during Euro 16, and has stayed in the starting XI since.
Speaking after the drubbing at the Mercedes-Benz Arena, he said: “It was a fantastic evening and a brilliant atmosphere.
“It was a fitting performance.”
He often draws comparison to former team-mate Philipp Lahm, but Kimmich insists he is not a clone of the legendary full-back.
The ex-RB Leipzig ace added: “Philipp enjoyed a perfect career, you can never replace a player like that like-for-like, but it’s also important for me to go my own way.
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“I don’t want people to see me as a Philipp Lahm clone. I want to do things as Joshua Kimmich.”
Low – who gave the youngster his debut against Slovakia in May 2016 – waxed lyrical over the talent, citing his hunger and desire as key reasons why he is so raved about.
He said: “Joshua is one of the biggest talents I have seen over the past 10 years or so.
“He has a certain hunger and desire, he wants to be on top of his game in every single training session.
“I think he can have a huge career.”
And at the tender age of 22 he certainly has a lot of winners medals in his trophy cabinet.
As well as being a key part of the squad that won the Confederations Cup in the summer, he is also a two-time Bundesliga champion, a DFB-Pokal winner and helped Germany lift the Euro Under-19 title in 2014.
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