Hold onto your hats, Bayern Munich fans, because Joshua Kimmich’s Bundesliga XI is about to leave you scratching your head in disbelief. Yes, you read that right—the very same Joshua Kimmich who’s played alongside some of football’s all-time legends has put together a team that’s… well, let’s just say it’s not exactly what you’d expect. In a collaboration between 433 and the Bundesliga, Kimmich was tasked with selecting his Ultimate Bundesliga XI. The result? A lineup that’s equal parts baffling and intriguing. But here’s where it gets controversial—while some of his picks are undeniable, others feel like they’re straight out of left field. Let’s dive in and break it down, shall we?
Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer
Kimmich nails this one. Neuer is widely regarded as the greatest goalkeeper of all time, and his inclusion is a no-brainer. No arguments here.
Defense: Philipp Lahm, Dayot Upamecano, Franz Beckenbauer, David Alaba
Lahm at right-back? Spot on. He’s a legend. Alaba at left-back? Solid choice, especially considering Kimmich’s familiarity with him. But Upamecano as a center-back alongside Beckenbauer? Now, that’s where things get tricky. Beckenbauer is untouchable—a true icon of the sport. Upamecano, however, feels like a reach. Sure, he’s a key player for Bayern now, but he’s up against stiff competition from the likes of Mats Hummels, who Kimmich himself played with. This feels more like a ‘familiarity over merit’ pick. And this is the part most people miss—Kimmich’s bias toward current teammates might be clouding his judgment.
Midfield: Toni Kroos, Xabi Alonso, Florian Wirtz
Kroos and Alonso? Fair enough. Both had stellar careers, though Alonso’s peak was arguably before his Bundesliga days. But Florian Wirtz? A 22-year-old with a couple of standout seasons? In an Ultimate XI? That’s a stretch. Where’s Lothar Matthäus, Thiago Alcantara, or Bastian Schweinsteiger? Heck, even Thomas Müller or Kevin De Bruyne would’ve been more deserving. This midfield trio feels like it’s missing the mark—big time.
Attack: Kingsley Coman, Jamal Musiala, Franck Ribéry
Ribéry? Absolutely. A legend in every sense. But Coman over Arjen Robben? And Musiala as a striker? Ahead of Gerd Müller, Robert Lewandowski, or even Harry Kane—players Kimmich has shared the pitch with? It’s like Kimmich forgot what a striker’s role is. This lineup feels more like a ‘friends and favorites’ team than an Ultimate XI. Fair enough, it’s his personal choice, but let’s be honest—this team wouldn’t stand a chance against the current Bayern squad.
But here’s the real question: Did Kimmich play it safe, or did he let personal connections cloud his judgment? It’s hard not to wonder if he just picked names out of a hat or chose players he’s closest to. Either way, this XI is a head-scratcher.
What do you think? Could you build a better Bundesliga XI than Kimmich? Drop your lineup in the comments—let’s spark some debate! And if you’re craving more Bayern Munich and German national team insights, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works on Acast (https://shows.acast.com/bavarian-podcast-works1), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/5kHW7eDJSF2sGA1O6gKxvB), Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bavarian-podcast-works/id1460036325), or your favorite podcast platform. Join the conversation, share your thoughts, and let’s keep the football talk alive!
