The Bayern Munich star was frustrated by his club team-mates having their time with the national team forcibly come to an end
Joshua Kimmich has slammed Joachim Low’s decision to retire Mats Hummels, Jerome Boateng and Thomas Muller from international duty, saying none of them were "too old" to play for the Germany national team.
Low made the controversial decision on Tuesday to axe the Bayern Munich trio from his selection plans going forward in hopes of renewing the Germany squad ahead of Euro 2020.
And Kimmich also has now voiced his discontent over his Bayern team-mates being axed from selection, admitting surprise over the decision and criticising how it happened.
“I first heard about it from the press, one day later the three boys told me,” Kimmich told reporters. “Yes, I was [surprised].
“I know the national team only with these three players. Over the past 10 years, they have shaped the team and made us world champions. They are also my team-mates.
“From a player's point of view, the way was not okay, so I understand that the guys are disappointed.”
While Low made the decision with an eye to getting younger, Kimmich argued the trio are still young enough to contribute going forward.
“Especially when you consider that they are only 29 and 30 years old,” Kimmich said. “Thomas has made 100 games for Germany, for example. Then you have earned another departure.
“Football is often talked about old and young - I think that none of the boys are too old to play in the national team.”
Bayern climbed back to the top of the Bundesliga on Saturday thanks to a 6-0 rout of Wolfsburg at the Allianz Arena.
Though Borussia Dortmund also won, the big victory saw the reigning champions move ahead through goal difference.
All three players started the Bayern victory, with Hummels and Boateng going 90 minutes in central defence for the clean sheet, while Muller scored the fourth goal in the rout.
And when asked if he thought the trio stepped up to prove a point to Low, Kimmich admitted he believed it did serve as a motivating factor.
“You do not shake things off that easily,” Kimmich said. “I am a national player myself and I know how special it is to play for Germany.
“I do not think you can get that out of your head after two days, but today they showed what they got. They have played a very good game.”
sowpsy
82
muller supported the federation against mesut ozil, is his turn now.... But that is a very cruel decision seeing what these guys have contributed since 2009
emilnimmi
59
You all don't know how Germany's qualification is. In Germany it doesn't matter if they have played once good. The question is are they playing now we'll. Since Germany lost to many countries and were kicked out from the 2018 world cup qualifiers and the League of Nation performance would have made Löw think about changing the squad. But the way he presented it was very unruly. I hope that since in the last match they have proved themselves by thrashing Wolfsburg 6-0. If they knock Liverpool out of the Champion's league it will be a shame on Löw's part to remove Mullar, Hummels, and other from the German squad. And if that happened he should definitely call them back as this trio trashed the mighty Brazil 7-2.