Jeremias James, Trelew-born defender, wants to play for Wales
Jeremias James, the 25-year-old central defender born and raised in Trelew, told BBC Sport Wales in an interview published on 10 August 2026 that he would like to visit Wales and would welcome the chance to play there despite current eligibility rules making national selection unlikely.
A Welsh presence in Patagonia dates back to 1865, when about 160 Welsh emigrants sailed to create the settlement known as 'Y Wladfa'; the language remains in active use and more than 50,000 Patagonians can claim Welsh ancestry. Trelew, founded in 1886 by Welsh settlers, takes its name from Welsh for "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." Children in Trelew are taught in both Welsh and Spanish at Ysgol yr Hendre.
"Looking into my family's history, the first member to travel to Patagonia was William James on a ship from the United States," James added. "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."
James also related his personal medical history: he was diagnosed with leukemia at age nine and moved 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, and afterwards he played for youth teams in Chubut before being scouted by San Lorenzo's academy.
He made his debut for San Lorenzo in Argentina's Primera Division in 2022 and subsequently had loan spells at Barracas Central, Deportivo Riestra and Alvarado. The 25-year-old currently plays for Primera B side Magallanes in Chile, having joined 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. "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 and 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."
Even though current eligibility rules make international selection unlikely for James, the article notes that rules can change in football, and if that ever happens it would be welcomed by the Chubut community in Patagonia.
