Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher’s son James has earned his inaugural international call up – this time for the island nation of Malta.
At just 22, James has been a staple in the League One team Wigan Athletic’s line-up this season, clocking up 25 appearances in all competitions. A right-footed defender who shares his father’s position, he got his debut senior goal in January during a win over Bristol Rovers.
Despite dad Jamie’s 38-cap legacy with England, James is set to don the colours of Malta. The burgeoning Wigan talent, a product of the club’s own youth system, obtained Maltese citizenship only last month.
James’ eligibility comes through his paternal grandfather, and interestingly enough, Jamie himself has also been granted citizenship of the Mediterranean country. Jamie no doubt eagerly anticipates witnessing his son’s debut outing for Malta later this month as they welcome Finland for their World Cup qualifying campaign opener on Friday.
Emilio De Leo’s squad will subsequently take a trip to face off with Poland, potentially pitting young Carragher against the renowned forward Robert Lewandowski. Malta Football Association head Bjorn Vassallo revealed that deliberations with the Carraghers had been ongoing for some time.
“We’ve been in talks with James and his father Jamie for the last few months now; he is open to it, but we’re still working on it,” stated Vassallo recently.
Under FIFA regulations, once Carragher plays in a competitive match for Malta, he’ll be ineligible to play for England. However, it’s not just De Leo who James is aiming to impress.
Wigan Athletic have recently appointed former Preston North End manager Ryan Lowe, a close friend of Jamie, who was let go by Preston after a single game in August. Lowe is set to manage his first game with the Latics during their upcoming visit to Charlton Athletic on Saturday.
(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Jamie, aged 47 and a good friend of Lowe, has watched as Wigan secured consecutive clean sheets in March, attributing much of that success to James’ vital contributions.
Making his first appearance for Wigan in the 2021-22 season, James was subsequently loaned out to Oldham Athletic in the National League the next season. He later took to the pitch 20 times for Scottish team Inverness Caledonian Thistle during the latter part of the last season.
James’ career progression was hampered by injuries before his stint at Inverness. Last year, his father had an emotional moment when speaking about the impact of these injuries. In a conversation with Ian Wright and Peter Schmeichel on The Overlap, Jamie disclosed: “12 months ago I was in a dark place over my son’s injuries.”
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“I didn’t get injuries. When I was at Liverpool I’d go in the treatment room and I’d see people on the bed, and I could never get this out of my head, I’d [think] they’re faking it, they’re not tough enough. Because I didn’t get injured. I couldn’t understand that people got injured… and then my own son went through it.
“I’m thinking finally after two years he’s been to see the best person in London, great. He starts pre-season, I’m on holiday, and on the first day, he phones me. And as soon as he phoned me… I knew straight away, my stomach,” before making a downward gesture to illustrate his dread.
“I booked a flight [home] that night. The holiday’s finished for me. I’ve got to get home. He can’t be at home alone with this. Seeing him and what we went through last summer to try and get to the bottom of it, I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy.”
