Jamie Carragher, the Liverpool legend, recently shared an interesting anecdote about his son James' international debut for Malta. The young footballer had the opportunity to swap shirts with a Barcelona star after his first international game.
James Carragher made headlines when he debuted internationally for Malta in March against Finland and Poland. This was possible due to his Maltese citizenship acquired through Jamie's grandfather and mother. The 22-year-old Wigan Athletic ace lined up against Robert Lewandowski, the renowned Barcelona striker during their match against Poland.
Despite their 2-0 loss to Poland, it was a memorable day for James as he got to share the field with one of football's biggest stars. In a post-match tradition that signifies respect between players, James swapped shirts with Lewandowski at the end of this game.
Proud father shares his joy
When asked if his son managed to get Lewandowski's shirt after the match, Jamie Carragher couldn't hide his pride and joy. "He did actually," said a smiling Carragher. "He was up against him at the end, in the last 20 minutes."
Jamie Carragher, Liverpool legend, said:
"[James] Started both games. Wasn't sure he would, it was his first time he's been there. The first game they played Finland, should have got something out of it, played really well second half. Got beat 1-0 and then went to Poland away [lost 2-0]. Oh yeah, we had a proper trip, the Carraghers on tour. I wasn't nervous, but I could see my dad was a bit nervous before. It was a big game, 50,000 there. And what do you do when you're nervous? You have a drink. But no, it was good. I wanted [Robert] Lewandowski to start, but he came on. He did alright."
While it is unlikely that James will have a career mirroring that of his father - an ex-England international - it seems he is carving out a respectable footballing CV of his own.
Privilege to play against the best
For any young player making their way in professional football, getting an opportunity to play against some of world’s best players is indeed a privilege. For James Carragher not only did he make an international debut but also got to face off against Robert Lewandowski – truly marking this as an unforgettable experience in his budding career.
While following in your father’s footsteps can be daunting especially when your father is a football legend, James Carragher seems to be making his own mark in the world of football. His international debut for Malta and swapping shirts with Lewandowski are just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting career.
