Unvaccinated Bayern star to miss rest of the year with Covid complications

Joshua Kimmich will miss the rest of Bayern Munich’s fixtures for the rest of the year due to a lung problem caused by Covid-19 after previously refusing to be vaccinated

Posted Friday, December 10, 2021 by Dailystar.co.uk

Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich has been ruled out of action for the remainder of the year after suffering side effects caused by Covid-19.

The 26-year-old admitted in October that he had chosen not to be vaccinated against the virus but ended up testing positive last month.

Kimmich missed the 2-1 defeat to Augsburg after coming into contact with someone who was positive, before sitting out as the German giants cruised past the likes of Arminia Bielefeld, Borussia Dortmund, Dynamo Kiev and Barcelona.

And while his quarantine period ended on Wednesday, Bayern’s official Twitter account confirmed on Thursday that the 2017 German player of the year was set to miss the rest of 2021’s action.

Joshua Kimmich will Bayern's three matches for the remainder of the year

Kimmich announced on his Instagram that the coronavirus had affected his lungs, thereby not allowing him to return to practice.

He said: "I'm doing well and yesterday I got over the really long quarantine period. I'm eager to get going again and be with the team.

"However, I still have to be patient for a while, as I'm not yet allowed to put full weight on my body due to a slight infiltration in my lungs.

"I'll be watching the remaining three games this year from the couch and then we'll be attacking together again in January."

The midfielder, who is equally adept in defence, receive swathes of criticism in October due to his outspokenness about being against Covid vaccination.

He put his scepticism down to what he described as a “lack of studies” regarding the vaccine's future implications.

Kimmich said: “I have concerns about the lack of long-term studies.

“I am of course aware of my responsibility. I follow all hygiene measures and get tested every two to three days.

“Everyone should make the decision for themselves.”