Joshua Kimmich says he has no shortage of motivation playing in his first World Cup

Joshua Kimmich spoke during a press conference (via dfb.de) today after Germany’s main training session alongside Oliver Bierhoff. During the presser, Kimmich explained how Die Mannschaft are all starting to get in perfect sync with one another ahead of their World Cup opener against Mexico and said that his childhood dream coming true is all the motivation he needs to give his all for Germany.

The Mexico match is now just a day and a half away, and Kimmich feels that the squad is exactly where it needs to be at the moment. Playing in his first World Cup, he admits, is all the motivation he needs himself:

There’s a lot of traction in training. We’re pulling together as a team because everyone is happy that it finally starts! I don’t have to push myself ahead of a game. It’s a childhood dream becoming reality for me - so there’s no lack of motivation!

Having so often drawn comparisons to former Germany and Bayern Munich right back Philipp Lahm, Kimmich has always maintained that he’s his own type of player, and doesn’t necessarily enjoy being constantly compared to someone else. Though he does appreciate the praise, he says, he’s always looking for ways to improve his game; constantly questioning himself to find his weak points:

Obviously, it’s nice to hear praise - and it also gives me impetus. I always want to improve. You always need to question yourself and find your own flaws. That’s the basis you need in order to improve.

Lastly, Kimmich also tipped his former Vfb Stuttgart teammate, Timo Werner, to make a big impact for Die Mannschaft during the tournament. The two both played integral parts in Germany’s Confederations Cup triumph last summer:

I have never taken part in a tournament in which he [Werner] didn’t end up as top scorer. He’s an absolute weapon.