James Carragher: Forging His Own Legacy from Liverpool Roots to Malta’s National Team

Rising Star with Famous Roots

James Lee Carragher, a professional footballer currently playing as a centre-back for EFL League One club Wigan Athletic, has recently made headlines by representing the Malta national team.

Recent Developments

In February 2025, Carragher received Maltese citizenship alongside his father Jamie, qualifying through their ancestor Paul Vassallo of Qormi. Following this development, he earned a call-up to play for Malta in World Cup qualifiers against Finland and Poland, making his debut against Finland in a closely fought 1-0 defeat.

The 22-year-old defender is carving his own path in professional football, distinctly different from his father Jamie Carragher’s Premier League career, as he establishes himself in League One with Wigan Athletic. He recently achieved a significant milestone by scoring his first professional goal in Wigan’s 2-0 victory over Bristol Rovers. This achievement sparked playful family banter, as he’s now only three goals behind his father’s career tally of four.

Club Career Progress

Carragher’s journey began in Liverpool’s youth system before joining Wigan Athletic’s academy in 2017. His leadership qualities showed early as he captained Wigan’s under-18 team to victory in the U18 Professional Development League during the 2020–21 season. His professional career officially began on 4 August 2021, when he signed his first professional contract with Wigan Athletic and made his senior debut in an EFL Cup match against Hull City.

International Ambitions

Qualifying for Malta through his paternal great-grandfather, Carragher received his first international call-up in March 2025. His international career has already included notable appearances, including facing formidable opponents such as Robert Lewandowski’s Poland. The Malta Football Association has shown great enthusiasm about his inclusion, with president Bjorn Vassallo confirming earlier discussions with both James and his father regarding the potential call-up.