The Argentine who wishes he could play for Wales

ByOwain Llyr

BBC Sport Wales

There has been a small slice of Wales in Argentina for more than 150 years.

About 160 Welsh emigrants sailed to Patagonia in 1865 to create a new settlement, 'Y Wladfa', where their language, culture and religion could flourish free from English influence and dominance.

The language is still actively spoken there, while more than 50,000 Patagonians can claim Welsh ancestry.

One of those is footballer Jeremias James.

James was born and raised in Trelew, a city founded in 1886 by Welsh settlers in the Chubut province.

Its name translates from Welsh to 'Town of Lewis' in honour of its founder, Lewis Jones.

"I'm part of a Welsh family, a Welsh colony that settled in southern Argentina, specifically in Chubut," James told BBC Sport Wales.

"Five generations of my family were born in Trelew, and I'm part of the the fifth generation.

"Over the years my family settled in Chubut and that's where my story, my family, and all my descendants come from."

After the first journey across the Atlantic Ocean from Wales to Patagonia in 1865, more followed over the next few years.

Many Welsh immigrants in 19th-Century North America later joined the South American settlement to help sustain the Welsh-speaking community.

After the initial settlement in the Chubut Valley proved difficult, additional groups arrived not only from Wales, but also from established Welsh farming communities in the United States.

"Looking into my family's history, the first member to travel to Patagonia was William James on a ship from the United States," added Jeremias.

"David Stephen James was the first member of the family born in Argentina, and that would be my great-great-grandfather.

"Then came my great-grandfather, my grandfather, my father, and me. All born in Trelew.

"The land in Chubut was granted to Welsh settlers, and my family still live there today. That land belongs to us."

Beyond his Welsh heritage, James has a powerful personal story.

At the age of nine he was diagnosed with leukemia and had to move to Buenos Aires for treatment.

"I was on that treatment for about a year or two until I returned to Trelew, discharged, and gradually resumed my normal life," he said.

After recovering he played for youth teams in Chubut before being scouted by San Lorenzo's academy, joining one of Argentine football's biggest clubs who are based in Buenos Aires.

After making his debut for San Lorenzo in Argentina's Primera Division in 2022, he spent time on loan at Barracas Central, Deportivo Riestra and Alvarado, all based in his home country.

The 25-year-old currently plays for Primera B side Magallanes in Chile, joining them on a permanent basis earlier this year after a successful loan spell.

Even though his family have strong Welsh roots, it is unlikely James will ever be able to play for Wales.

Fifa rules dictate that a player's biological parents or grandparents must have been born in the country they wish to represent.

But even though the current footballing eligibility rules do not work in James' favour, he is eager to find out more about his heritage.

"I was born and raised in Argentina, but obviously I've always been aware of my connection to Wales," said James.

"As you progress and develop in this sport, you always consider the possibility of playing for a national team you have family connections with.

"First of all I would love to visit the country. I haven't had the chance to travel to Wales, and it's something I'd really like to experience to find out more about my roots and where my family comes from.

"It's a dream of mine, and one that I'll surely be able to fulfil someday.

"But of course if the opportunity arises to play in that country, whether for the national team or for a club, it would be something truly very special for me."

A left-footed, ball-playing central defender, James is also strong in the air.

He has been a regular in the Magallanes team this season as they aim to win promotion back to the top flight in Chile.

"I've always been a central defender, and I've always enjoyed playing there," James explained.

"I see my strengths as being a good leader on the pitch and my aerial play.

"We've been lucky in Argentina over the past few years that we've had a very good national team and great defenders.

"I've always admired players like Cristian Romero and Nicolas Otamendi. I've followed their careers closely and tried to emulate what they do on the pitch."

It does not seem likely James will be able to play on the international stage like his heroes.

But rules can change in football, and if that ever happens, it would certainly be welcomed by the Chubut community in Patagonia.