Joshua Kimmich, the FC Bayern Munich midfielder, took to the air on Saturday evening, arriving at ZDF's "Aktuelle Sportstudio" in Mainz after his club's 1:1 draw against Union Berlin. The 28-year-old, who is widely regarded as one of the elite players globally, chose to travel by private jet, highlighting the distance of 580 kilometers between Berlin and Mainz.
The cost of the private jet trip was reportedly covered by ZDF, which ensured Kimmich reached the studio just in time for his interview with presenter Katrin Müller-Hohenstein. According to reports from Bild, Kimmich's flight left Berlin at 19:00 and landed at 20:20, just before the show started at 23:00. The same flight would have cost him more than 8000 euros had he booked it for Sunday, March 16, 2025.
During the interview, Kimmich spoke candidly about his recent contract extension with Bayern Munich and the personal deliberations leading to this decision. "We talked very often. But she did not make the decision easier for me," Kimmich said, referring to the support he received from his wife, Lina. His circumstances had changed considerably since last summer when he felt like he was on the verge of being sold. "The club spoke about wanting to save on wages," he explained.
Fast forward to the present day, and Kimmich finds himself once again at the heart of Bayern’s ambitions. He mentioned under coach Vincent Kompany, he was informed early on about his new role at the club. "I was then told relatively early on, I was to be the club's face," he stated, signaling the club's trust and faith in him.
Following his contract extension, several Bayern Munich legends have praised Kimmich's contributions to the team. Notably, Arjen Robben, who played for Bayern from 2009 to 2019 and scored the winning goal in the 2013 Champions League Final, remarked on Kimmich's importance to the team. "Joshua is a big part of this team and the club," Robben said. "He knows the club; he knows 'Mia san mia', and that's what we need. You need players at this club who can also bring this onto the pitch and lift the others up."
Kimmich's market value is currently assessed at 50 million euros, indicating his status both as a player and as an asset for Bayern Munich. The reaction from fans and former players alike signals his significance within the team. The affection from the fans reinforces Kimmich’s standing; many see him not just as a player but as the embodiment of the club’s ethos.
This recent juxtaposition of Kimmich's doubts last summer and subsequent reaffirmation of his role at Bayern paints a vivid portrait of his resilience and steadfastness. His commitment to the club is clear, especially now as he is poised to take on greater responsibility on what seems to be Bayern's path forward.
Fans and analysts alike will undoubtedly continue to watch Kimmich closely as he continues to cement his legacy at Bayern Munich. The contract extension is not merely a signed paper; it implies trust, expectation, and the heart of what FC Bayern Munich aims to portray on the grand stage of European football.
