Joshua Kimmich has expressed his dismay towards a recent poll suggesting that 21 percent of Germans believe there should be more white players in the national team.
The survey was conducted by WDR for an upcoming documentary on racism and diversity within the team, set to be released on June 5.
Kimmich, along with current and former German players, discussed their experiences with racism in the film.
The 29-year-old Bayern midfielder criticized the survey’s premise and results, emphasizing that diversity has never been an issue within the team.
Kimmich stated on Saturday, June 1st at a press conference: ”This hasn’t been a topic within the team itself.”
Kimmich is with the Germany squad ahead of Euro 2024 and the midfielder has questioned the timing of the survey, given that Germany is about to start their Euro 2024 campaign.
The Bayern star expressed his belief that conducting such a survey at a time when the country is striving for unity among its citizens and Europeans as a whole is ridiculous.
He added: ”When you consider that we are facing a European Championship at home, it is absurd to ask such a question when the aim is to unite the whole country (and we want) to achieve great things together.”
”As a team, we are trying everything to get everyone in Germany behind us. A survey like this is counterproductive.”
Meanwhile, a striking 65 percent of survey participants either disagreed or strongly disagreed with the idea of having more white players on the team which forfeits the survey.
The documentary also featured heartfelt accounts from Jonathan Tah, Gerald Asamoah, and Shkodran Mustafi as they shared their encounters with racism in German football.
Asamoah, born in Ghana but a former player for Germany, recounted the degrading treatment he endured while playing for Hannover 96 in Cottbus in 1997.
According to him, German players were incredibly hostile to him.
He said: “The players were also very aggressive.”
“They insulted me below the belt, and the N-word was used 1,000 times. That was considered normal.”
Mustafi, with Albanian and Macedonian roots, also opened up about the added pressure he felt while on the field.
He commented: ‘(People are observing) Who sings the national anthem? Who doesn’t sing it? Are you integrated, or are you not integrated? Are you grateful to be able to play for Germany or not?’
As for Joshua Kimmich, there’s speculation that he could leave Bayern Munich this summer as he’s heading into the final year of his contract.
Barcelona and Real Madrid have both been linked with a move for the Germany international but his focus is the Euro 2024.
On whether he would commit his future to Bayern Munich, Kimmich said: “That‘s not just up to me, but also on the club. The situation isn’t uncertain for me; I still have a year left on my contract,” he told reporters.
“My focus is on the Euros. After that, I’m sure there will be a discussion. Bayern is my first point of contact.”
