James Carragher for Malta and plays against Polish Robert Lewandowski

Jamie Carragher was a one-club player who made 737 appearances for Liverpool, winning the Champions League, UEFA Cup, FA Cup and three League Cups in a glittering career that also included 38 England caps.

James initially followed in his father’s footsteps and was a member of Liverpool’s books from the age of eight before moving to Wigan’s academy six years later, making his professional debut for the Latics when he was 18.

After loan spells at Oldham Athletic and in Scotland with Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Carragher’s young season at Wigan came in 2024-25 – with a chance for international recognition and then out of the blue.

“It’s something I wouldn’t have expected a few months ago,” Carragher said after making his international debut. “they [the Malta Football Association] I contacted my parents and my agent to see if I was properly qualified, and once that was clarified, it wasn’t necessary for me to go and play.

“It’s through my great grandfather, my father’s grandfather, and he’s from there, born there, lived there and then moved to Liverpool.

“My mom and dad had been there before, but it was my first time there, so the first time I went I ended up playing with them, so it was a bit of a crazy experience.”

Both Jamie and James were granted Maltese citizenship in February, with James playing in a home World Cup qualifier a month later as Malta lost 1-0 to Finland – before facing Poland three days later, in front of a crowd of over 45,000 people.