The smell of coffee, homemade cake and a hint of clubhouse fills the air. Outside, Altomünster is as quiet as it is every other Sunday, with just a few cars being parked, quiet voices behind a door and the clink of a cup somewhere. Inside, however, there’s something special in the air: conversations soften, eyes wander towards the door, someone glances at their watch. Everyone is waiting.
Specifically, for the moment that will make this afternoon so special: the visit of a player whom most people here only know from the stadium or from watching on television. For many, it will be the first time they've come so close to an FC Bayern player – without barriers, without stands, without distance. It will be an experience that will remain in the memories of the 200 or so fans who have gathered in the Kapplersaal today for a long time to come.
Then the door opens. Chairs are pushed back, applause breaks out and the brass band strikes up. Joshua Kimmich walks into the room, shaking hands, laughing. He pauses for a moment, listens, exchanges a few words. The familiarity he creates goes far beyond a simple hello. For a moment, the difference between global football and the clubhouse seems smaller.
I come from a small village myself. I know how much manpower and how many volunteers it takes to organise something like this. You can tell this has been prepared with care and love. Of course, we all know how important it is to have this fan base.
Joshua Kimmich
Our midfielder is visiting the Alto-Bavaria FC Bayern fan club in the Upper Bavarian district of Dachau on this Sunday. Visits like this have become a tradition at the club: for 40 years, the players of Germany's record champions have been visiting fan clubs once a year to chat to members. They answer questions, sign autographs and pose for photos. For FC Bayern, these events are much more than just a matter of duty – they are an expression of genuine closeness to the fans and appreciation for all the people who support the club week after week, in the stands, in front of the television or at regular fan club meetings.
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Planning for a visit like this takes a lot of work – Kimmich knows this from his own experience. "I come from a small village myself," says the Rottweil native, who grew up in the quiet town of Bösingen. "I know how much manpower and how many volunteers it takes to organise something like this. You can tell this has been prepared with care and love." The members had spent hours decorating the hall in the town centre, arranging banners and planning the schedule – for many, it's a highlight of club life when players like Kimmich come to visit in person. "We've experienced many games, celebrated great successes and also gone through difficult phases together," says Martin Schaffer, chairman of the Alto-Bavarians. "But a visit like today's is anything but a matter of course. It's a day that can certainly be described as historic for us." This creates a connection that goes far beyond the pitch and makes FC Bayern special in the supporters’ world.
His most memorable FC Bayern moment
And indeed, the fans are richly rewarded for their efforts. Kimmich takes plenty of time to answer questions and offers rare insights into his career. When asked about his best teammates, he names Franck Ribéry, Thiago and David Alaba – each from a different perspective: Ribéry for his spectacular playing style paired with his mentality, Thiago for his footballing perfection, Alaba for his overall package of skill, team spirit and consistency. Another fan wants to know what his most memorable moment in an FC Bayern jersey was. "Normally, you always base that on successes," Kimmich replies, recalling the 2023 championship win at Köln. "When Jamal scored in the 88th minute. It was a weird year that actually wasn't that positive." Of course, the 2020 Champions League triumph will also never be forgotten. "The problem was that there were no fans there. It was still emotional for me, of course, because a very big dream came true."
For the Alto-Bavarians, who welcome Kimmich as a new honorary member of their fan club, a wish has also came true on this Sunday. Chairman Martin Schaffer has nothing but praise for the midfield strategist. "You're not someone who shies away, someone who only leads when everything is going smoothly. You also lead when things get difficult and uncomfortable. And that's exactly what we fans appreciate about you." Kimmich stands for commitment, ambition, the will to win and clear words, emphasised the club boss. Our number six returns the thanks: "Of course, we all know how important it is to have this fan base," says Kimmich. That's also special at FC Bayern – to see how many people are behind the club, that the stadium is sold out for every home game.
Kimmich owes the most to these coaches
It's no coincidence that he plays in front of 75,000 fans at the Allianz Arena these days. When asked by a supporter what qualities had brought him this far, Kimmich reflects that talent alone is not enough. "I've seen many youth players who were much more talented than me, but they couldn't deliver on their potential every three days." In addition to skill, mental resilience is crucial – as are people who believe in you. Kimmich was fortunate that coaches such as Alex Zorniger in the third tier and later Pep Guardiola at FC Bayern placed their trust in him and gave him the opportunity to demonstrate what he was capable of on the big stage.
In addition to his playing career, Kimmich also provides insights into his everyday life as a professional footballer – and as a family man. “I usually get up at 6:30 a.m.,” he says. Then he accompanies his eldest son to the school bus, takes his daughter to nursery and then drives to training. There, treatment, meetings and weight training all follow one after the other before the team session begins. Afterwards, he heads back home, occasionally with marketing or PR appointments to attend – irregularly, depending on the match schedule and travel.
After signing the Altomünster municipality's Golden Book, Kimmich receives a host of gifts: a picnic basket from his hometown of Bösingen, homemade cake, which he later cuts himself, and he'll take the memories of countless selfies with fans home with him. Stefan Loibl and Dennis Schneider from Altomünster are also thrilled. "I think FC Bayern's idea of sending the players to the fan clubs is outstanding. It shows how close they are to their fans," says Stefan. Dennis agrees: "I would say that Bayern has always been very fan-friendly. It's a thank you to all of us local fans."
The fans are left with the overall impression that Joshua Kimmich is not only a world-class player, but also an approachable, authentic person. For the members of the Alto-Bavarians, this Sunday will resonate for a long time to come. Anyone walking through the Kapplersaal on this afternoon can sense that this is more than just a fan meeting: it's an opportunity to experience a piece of FC Bayern, up close, tangible and unforgettable.
Find out all about the fan club visits here:
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