James Carragher Embarks on International Football Journey with Malta, Proud Father Jamie Reacts
Former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher has voiced his immense pride as his son, James Carragher, aged 22, made his debut on the international stage for Malta. This significant moment follows James’s decision to represent Malta, marking a new chapter in the young player’s career.
Earlier this month, James Carragher, who plays professionally for League One club Wigan Athletic, received a coveted call-up to the Malta national team. The invitation came ahead of crucial World Cup qualifying matches against Finland and Poland, signaling Malta’s intent to bolster their squad with international talent.
The pathway to Maltese representation opened up for James and his father Jamie through family lineage. Both were recently granted Maltese citizenship, a connection traced back to Jamie’s grandfather, Paul Vassallo, and his mother, Paula. This ancestral link paved the way for James to embrace the opportunity to play international football for Malta.
Bjorn Vassallo, president of the Malta Football Association (MFA), confirmed ongoing discussions with the Carragher family regarding James’s potential involvement with the national team after their citizenship was secured. Vassallo emphasized Malta’s proactive approach to strengthening their squad, stating, “We’ve been in talks with James and his father Jamie for the last few months now…We will not shy from signing players internationally. Everyone is doing it, so why not us?”
James was quickly integrated into the Maltese setup under coach Emilio De Leo. This past Friday marked his debut, as he was named in the starting lineup for Malta’s World Cup qualifying match against Finland. Despite a spirited effort, Malta unfortunately succumbed to a narrow 1-0 defeat.
From the stands, a proud Jamie Carragher watched his son’s international debut unfold. Taking to Instagram after the game, the former England international shared his reaction. “Very proud of [James] on your international debut,” Jamie Carragher posted on his Instagram story, accompanying his message with a picture of himself and James. “Didn’t deserve the loss, son.” His words highlighted both pride in his son’s achievement and empathy for the team’s result.
Looking ahead, James Carragher is anticipated to feature again for Malta on Monday night in another World Cup qualifier. This time, Malta faces a formidable challenge against Poland, presenting James with the prospect of playing against world-class players such as Robert Lewandowski and Matty Cash.
James Carragher after making his Malta debut. Image credit: Instagram/23_carra
Jamie Carragher’s England Legacy and Liverpool Focus
Jamie Carragher himself enjoyed a distinguished international career, earning 38 caps for England between 1999 and 2010. Representing the Three Lions in major tournaments and qualifiers, Carragher was a stalwart defender for his country before focusing on his club career. His experiences provide a rich backdrop to his son’s foray into international football, albeit for a different nation.
Reflecting on his own England career, Jamie Carragher has previously discussed the moment he recognized his time with the national team was concluding. On a recent episode of the “Stick To Football” podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet, Carragher recounted a pivotal experience during an England match preparation at the new Wembley Stadium against Brazil.
“The first game that England played in the new Wembley was against Brazil. All week in training I was in centre-back,” Carragher explained. “Rio must’ve been out, so I was thinking to myself that I just played in the Champions League final, Liverpool’s player of the year.”
However, a change in plans on the Friday before the match shifted Carragher to right-back, a decision that signaled a turning point for him. “However, they get to the Friday and then I’m playing right-back suddenly and someone else was in centre-back. They played the game and, on the way, home in the car, I knew that I was done with England.”
This realization prompted Carragher to reassess his priorities, ultimately deciding to concentrate his efforts on Liverpool. “If I’m being totally honest, I didn’t love being away,” he admitted. “I was probably aged 29 then and I thought that if I’m not going away with England and I get myself ready for Liverpool, I can win that fight and finish my career at Liverpool. That was the biggest thing for me, to just stay at Liverpool.”
Now, years later, Jamie Carragher enthusiastically supports his son James as he embarks on his own international journey with Malta, demonstrating a new chapter in the Carragher footballing story.
**Follow James Carragher’s international career with Malta and stay updated on their World Cup qualifying journey!**