Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich compared to Cristiano Ronaldo

When asked about Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich former RB Leipzig manager Achim Beierlorzer had a bit of an odd comparison.

Beierlorzer, who briefly coached Kimmich in 2015, said that Kimmich reminded him of Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo.

“A great player is someone who is self-critical and not high-handed,” Beierlorzer said in an interview with Goal and SPOX. “When I think of Jo, I always have to smile because despite all the successes, he has not changed as a person. He is still the same boy who was competing hard in every training game. He has to keep that up.”

Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

Kimmich, of course, played a key role in initiating Bayern Munich’s only goal against RB Leipzig’s as he fed an aerial ball to Thomas Müller, who made a great run and cut back to make a pass to Leon Goretzka. Goretzka then firmly deposited the ball into the goal to help the Bavarians clinch a 1-0 victory.

In addition, Beierlorzer also indicated that the self-drive of Kimmich and his refusal to accept anything less than perfection is why he has become such a force on the pitch — and why the comparison to Ronaldo is so apt.

Specifically, Beierlorzer said Kimmich and Ronaldo “are role models because they are never satisfied with themselves and always work on their games.”