Speaking in the media zone after the match, Kimmich conceded Germany deserved to bow out from the round of 32. “It feels awful. We didn’t play well against any opponent. On three occasions we had major problems against teams that are not world-class. That’s a fact. We fully deserved to be eliminated,” he said.

“It’s a real shame, especially at a time when it would do us so much good to have something in Germany we can be proud of. Unfortunately, the national team isn’t that right now, and we all share responsibility for it. We have to take responsibility – no one can distance themselves from it. We have to own it, because we, the players who were on the pitch, are the ones who messed it up,” he further admitted.

At 31, Kimmich has faced speculation over his future in the German team. The Bayern Munich midfielder, however, has dismissed any suggestion of a retirement, and has all but confirmed that he will continue to represent Julian Nagelsmann’s team, with his sights set on the 2030 World Cup.

“I’ll always have the determination to make another attempt. What I will never do is give up. I grew up in Germany watching the national team on television, and it always seemed to be the semifinals or the final. Of course, you want to give today’s children, the people, and this generation that same experience. The fact is, we weren’t able to give the people back home that,” he said.