Joshua Kimmich Mourns the Sudden Death of His Father Berthold at Age 57

Joshua Kimmich is mourning the sudden and unexpected passing of his father, Berthold Kimmich, who died at the age of 57. The tragic news became public on Wednesday, casting a shadow over the sports community in his hometown of Bösingen in the Rottweil district and within professional football.

The German record champions initially announced that Kimmich would miss their upcoming Champions League home fixture against English powerhouse Arsenal due to a family bereavement. Media outlets, led by "Bild," subsequently reported that the player's father had passed away, a detail later confirmed by regional news sources.

Berthold Kimmich, affectionately known as "Beppo," was deeply involved in football throughout his life. He played for VfB Bösingen and spent decades working as a licensed youth coach, including a stint with the Black Forest Football Academy, while also coaching his son Joshua in their backyard during his early years.

Despite closely following his son's rise to the professional stage and the national team, Berthold Kimmich remained largely in the public background. He ran his own business in the financial and insurance sector and rarely spoke to the media, though he did grant an interview in 2024 following his son's appointment as captain of the German national team by Julian Nagelsmann.

Reflecting on that milestone at the time, Berthold Kimmich expressed immense pride, noting that it had historically been customary for the player with the most international appearances to wear the captain's armband. He also spoke of experiencing many highs and lows over a decade with FC Bayern Munich.

The family is widely known for staying grounded despite Joshua's prominent status in European football. Locals often encountered the national team star shopping at the neighborhood discount supermarket alongside his father and children, maintaining the simple lifestyle typical of their home municipality.

In the wake of the devastating loss, the football community has rallied around the player. FC Bayern released a statement expressing deep sympathy and asking the public to respect the family's privacy during this difficult time. As grief takes precedence over sports, well-wishers across the country have made it clear that football must take a backseat while Kimmich and his family mourn.