Joshua Kimmich Doesn’t Understand Doubt About Antonio Rüdiger

Germany captain Joshua Kimmich has issued a firm defence of veteran defender Antonio Rüdiger amid growing questions over the 33-year-old’s place in the national-team hierarchy. Speaking after being asked whether Rüdiger remains a guaranteed starter ahead of emerging centre-backs Jonathan Tah and Nico Schlotterbeck, Kimmich underlined the Real Madrid man’s enduring value.

“This is a question for the coach,” Kimmich began, careful not to tread on tactical territory. “But generally speaking, Toni is an important player. I have the feeling that we, in Germany, sometimes forget what Toni has delivered in the past 3-4 years. He’s a starter at Real Madrid and plays the latter stages of the Champions League every year. He’s a player you can always rely on. He’s proven that he can perform at the highest level. It’s important to have players like him.”

The Bayern Munich midfielder, who embraces his leadership duties with the national side, rarely strays beyond diplomatic sound bites. Yet the directness of his endorsement signals both personal respect for Rüdiger and a wider frustration with domestic scepticism surrounding the experienced defender.

While the coaching staff have yet to confirm their preferred pairing at centre-back, Rüdiger’s pedigree—cemented by consistent appearances for the European champions—keeps him firmly in contention. Even if the former Roma and Chelsea man is no longer an automatic selection, Kimmich’s words suggest the squad still views his composure and big-match temperament as indispensable, particularly ahead of high-stakes fixtures.

As Germany navigate a transitional period, blending seasoned campaigners with fresh talent, voices like Kimmich’s carry weight. By publicly championing Rüdiger, the captain has effectively drawn a line in the sand: experience and proven reliability matter, and overlooking that could come at a cost.