Jeremías James, a 25-year-old central defender for Chilean side Magallanes, was born and raised in Trelew, a Patagonian city founded by Welsh settlers in 1886. Although five generations of his family have been born there and he holds a deep personal connection to Wales, current footballing rules mean he is almost certainly barred from ever representing the country on the pitch.
Trelew's name comes from the Welsh words for "Town of Lewis", honouring its founder Lewis Jones, one of the leaders of the original Welsh migration to Argentina. That migration began in 1865, when roughly 160 Welsh settlers crossed the Atlantic to establish 'Y Wladfa', a colony where they hoped to preserve their language, culture and religion away from English influence. More than 50,000 people in the Patagonia region today can trace their ancestry back to that settlement, and the Welsh language remains in active use there.
James described his family's place within that history in an interview.
"I'm part of a Welsh family, a Welsh colony that settled in southern Argentina, specifically in Chubut," James said.
"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."
How did his family end up in Patagonia?
The initial 1865 crossing was followed by further waves of Welsh emigration over subsequent years, and the community was later reinforced by Welsh families who had already settled in North America and travelled south to help sustain the Welsh-speaking colony after the early years in the Chubut Valley proved harsher than expected.
James traced his own lineage back through several generations to the earliest arrivals.
"Looking into my family's history the first member to travel to Patagonia was William James on a ship from the United States," James said.
"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."
What is his personal and football story?
Beyond his heritage, James has overcome significant personal adversity. At the age of nine he was diagnosed with leukemia and had to relocate 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, James played for youth sides in Chubut, including, according to Wikipedia, Los Aromos, Huracán de Trelew, C.A.I. and Racing de Trelew, before being scouted by San Lorenzo's academy, one of the largest clubs in Argentine football, based in Buenos Aires. He made his Primera División debut for San Lorenzo in 2022 and subsequently went on loan to Barracas Central, Deportivo Riestra and Alvarado.
He now plays as a centre-back for Primera B side Magallanes in Chile, having joined the club on a permanent deal earlier this year after a successful loan spell there. According to his profile on Transfermarkt, his full name is Jeremías James Griffiths and he was born on 29 January 2001 in Trelew.
Could James ever play for Wales?
Despite his strong family ties to Wales, it remains highly unlikely that James will ever be eligible to represent the Welsh national team. Under FIFA's eligibility rules, a player must have a biological parent or grandparent born in the country they wish to play for, and James's connection stretches back further than that through his great-great-grandfather.
Nonetheless, he remains eager to explore that side of his identity.
"I was born and raised in Argentina, but obviously I've always been aware of my connection to Wales," James said.
"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."
What kind of player is he?
A left-footed, ball-playing central defender, James is also known for his strength in the air. He has been a regular fixture for Magallanes this season as the club pushes for promotion back to Chile's top flight.
"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."
Does Wales have other sporting ties with Argentina?
James's story emerges against a backdrop of long-running sporting contact between Wales and Argentina, mostly through rugby union. Wales' rugby tours of Argentina stretch back nearly 60 years and have included a history of tense, sometimes ill-tempered contests, including a brief visit in 2023 ahead of matches in South Africa. Historically, Wales' most notable result in the country came during their 1999 tour, when they won a two-Test series 2-0, their first series victory in the Southern Hemisphere.
More recently, Wales lost 35-21 to Argentina in the Nations Championship, trailing 28-14 at half-time before Argentina extended their lead in the second half. That defeat, reported by the Telegraph, continued a recent pattern of strong home performances by Argentina against Wales at Test level. Wales had gone into the match having travelled to football-mad San Juan amid limited preparation time, with Exeter's Kane James in contention for a Test debut off the bench, according to a Wales Online report. Wales' scrum coach, Paul James, had also been working to strengthen the forward pack against Argentina's Pumas ahead of the fixture.
What happens next for Wales?
Wales' rugby side is next scheduled to face South Africa in Durban on Saturday, 18 July, with kick-off set for 16:40 BST, according to a national broadcaster's fixture report. For James, meanwhile, the more immediate focus remains on helping Magallanes secure promotion in Chile, while a first visit to Wales stays on his personal wish list.
Key Facts
- Jeremías James Griffiths was born on 29 January 2001 in Trelew, Patagonia, and plays centre-back for Chilean club Magallanes.
- Trelew was founded in 1886 by Welsh settler Lewis Jones, part of the 'Y Wladfa' colony established after roughly 160 Welsh emigrants arrived in Patagonia in 1865.
- James was diagnosed with leukemia at age nine and underwent treatment in Buenos Aires before returning to football in Chubut.
- FIFA eligibility rules require a biological parent or grandparent to have been born in the relevant country, making it unlikely James can ever represent Wales.
- Wales' rugby side lost 35-21 to Argentina in the Nations Championship and next face South Africa in Durban on 18 July.
