View source for Jamie Carragher

{{Short description|English footballer (born 1978)}}
{{for|his son, also a footballer|James Carragher}}
{{redirect|Carragher|the surname|Carragher (surname)}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2025}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Jamie Carragher
| image = Football against poverty 2014 - Jamie Carragher (cropped).jpg
| caption = Carragher in 2014
| full_name = James Lee Duncan Carragher
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1978|1|28|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Bootle]], Merseyside, England
| height = {{convert|1.85|m|order=flip}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.liverpoolfc.com/team/first-team/player/jamie-carragher |title=Liverpool F.C. Profile |access-date=22 April 2011 |publisher=Liverpool F.C. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623191347/http://www.liverpoolfc.com/team/first-team/player/jamie-carragher |archive-date=23 June 2012 }}</ref>
| position = [[Defender (association football)|Defender]]
| youthyears1 = 1988–1997
| youthclubs1 = [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]
| years1 = 1996–2013
| clubs1 = [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]
| caps1 = 508
| goals1 = 3
| nationalyears1 = 1999–2010
| nationalteam1 = [[England national football team|England]]
| nationalcaps1 = 38
| nationalgoals1 = 0
}}
'''James Lee Duncan Carragher'''   ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|ær|ə|g|ər}} {{respell|KARR|ə|ghər}}; born 28 January 1978) is an English [[Association football|football]] analyst and former player who played as a [[defender (association football)|defender]] for [[Premier League]] club [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] during a career which spanned 17 years. A [[List of one-club men in association football|one-club man]], he was Liverpool's [[captain (association football)|vice-captain]] for ten years, and is the club's second-longest serving player, making his 737th and final appearance for Liverpool on 19 May 2013.

Carragher started his career at the [[Liverpool F.C. Reserves and Academy|Liverpool Academy]], making his professional debut in the [[1996–97 Liverpool F.C. season|1996–97 season]], and becoming a first-team starter the following season. Having initially played as a full-back, the arrival of manager [[Rafael Benítez]] in 2004 saw Carragher move to become a centre-back, where he found his best form. His honours with Liverpool total two [[FA Cup]]s, three [[Football League Cup]]s, two [[FA Community Shield|FA Charity/Community Shields]], one [[UEFA Champions League]], one [[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]] and two [[UEFA Super Cup]]s.

Internationally, Carragher held the national record for most caps at under-21 level and earned his senior debut in 1999. He represented England at [[UEFA Euro 2004]] and the [[2006 FIFA World Cup]], before announcing his retirement from international football in 2007. He did, however, temporarily come out of retirement in order to represent England at the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]], before retiring again with 38 senior England caps.

Following his retirement in 2013, Carragher joined [[Sky Sports]] as a commentator and pundit. In July 2020, [[CBS Sports]] announced Carragher would join their Champions League studio broadcast team.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/cbs-sports-unveils-studio-and-match-coverage-for-uefa-champions-league-and-europa-league/|title=CBS Sports unveils studio and match coverage for UEFA Champions League and Europa League|first=Sandra|last=Herrera|website=CBS Sports|date=30 July 2020 }}</ref>

==Early life==
James Lee Duncan Carragher was born in [[Bootle]] on 28 January 1978.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/football/jamie-carragher.html|title=Jamie Carragher Profile|work=Eurosport.com|access-date=30 November 2010}}</ref><ref name="PFA 109">{{cite book|last = Hugman|first = Barry J.|title = The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946–2005|publisher = Queen Anne Press|year = 2005|page = 109|isbn = 1-85291-665-6 }}</ref> His maternal grandfather was Maltese,<ref name="malta">{{cite news |url= https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/watch-carragher-joins-giggs-neville-in-wishing-malta-well-in-covid-19.784172  |title= Carragher joins Giggs, Neville in wishing Malta well in COVID-19 fight |work=[[Times of Malta]] |date=8 April 2020|accessdate=30 June 2021}}</ref> and his paternal grandfather was Irish.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://unherd.com/2023/10/jamie-carragher-my-warning-to-starmer/|title=Jamie Carragher: My warning to Starmer|first=Tom|last=McTague|date=10 October 2023|website=UnHerd}}</ref> He has described his mother as a "very holy" [[Catholic Church in England and Wales|Catholic]] woman who had previously suffered [[miscarriage]]s but refused to consider an abortion whilst pregnant with Carragher, despite doctors expecting him to be born with [[spina bifida]].<ref name="auto" /> He was born with [[gastroschisis]], requiring him to be immediately taken to [[Alder Hey Children's Hospital]].<ref name="auto" />

Despite the popular misconception that he grew up in poverty, Carragher clarified in his autobiography that he "grew up in a nice house in a nice area [and] had a great childhood".<ref name="auto" /> He attended St James Catholic Primary School in Bootle.<ref name="auto" /> He supported [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] while growing up, like his father, who gave him his two middle names "Lee" and "Duncan" in honour of the team's manager [[Gordon Lee (footballer)|Gordon Lee]] and its player [[Duncan McKenzie]]; on the day of Carragher's birth, Lee fired McKenzie from the team.<ref>{{harvnb|Carragher|2008|p=12}}</ref>

==Club career==
===Beginnings and Cup treble (1988–2004)===
Carragher attended [[the FA]]'s School of Excellence in [[Lilleshall]] as a youth.<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1595703/bio Biography for Jamie Carragher]. [[IMDb]]. Retrieved on 9 August 2009.</ref> He joined [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]], Everton's [[Merseyside derby|Merseyside rivals]], in 1988; he regularly attended Liverpool's School of Excellence wearing a [[Graeme Sharp]] Everton kit.<ref>{{harvnb|Carragher|2008|p=5}}</ref> He spent a year at the Everton School of Excellence at the age of 11, but returned to Liverpool due to the club's superior coaching set-up under [[Steve Heighway]].<ref>{{harvnb|Carragher|2008|p=28}}</ref> He failed to impress in his first appearances to the Liverpool A and B teams due to his then-small stature, but after being moved from up front to a midfield role he was able to establish himself in the [[Liverpool F.C. Reserves and Academy|reserve team]].<ref>{{harvnb|Carragher|2008|p=80}}</ref> He played his first game for the reserves in the 1994–95 season, and was named man of the match against [[Blackburn Rovers F.C. Reserves and Academy|Blackburn Rovers]] at [[Haig Avenue]].<ref>{{harvnb|Carragher|2008|p=81}}</ref> He helped Liverpool to win the [[FA Youth Cup Finals of the 1990s|1996 FA Youth Cup]] with a 4–1 aggregate victory over a [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]] side that included [[Rio Ferdinand]] and [[Frank Lampard]].<ref name="page 82">{{harvnb|Carragher|2008|p=82}}</ref>

Carragher was tried out in defence for the first time during the tournament, and later admitted that Liverpool were not the most technically gifted side in the competition, but instead relied on team spirit and the outstanding talents of [[Michael Owen]].<ref name="page 82" />

He made his first-team debut for the "Reds" under [[Roy Evans]] in a [[Football League Cup|League Cup]] quarter-final against [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]] at the [[Riverside Stadium]] on 8 January 1997, coming on as a substitute for [[Rob Jones (footballer, born 1971)|Rob Jones]] 75 minutes into a 2–1 defeat.<ref>{{harvnb|Carragher|2008|p=106}}</ref> Three days later, he made his [[Premier League]] debut as a substitute at [[Anfield]], playing the entire second half of a 0–0 draw with [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]].<ref name="page 107">{{harvnb|Carragher|2008|p=107}}</ref> On 18 January, he was scheduled to play as a centre-half against [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]], only to be replaced in the starting line-up by [[Bjørn Tore Kvarme]]; however, [[Patrik Berger]] was taken ill, and Carragher was his last-minute replacement in central midfield.<ref name="page 107"/> He played alongside [[Jamie Redknapp]] and scored his first goal with a header in front of the [[Spion Kop (stadiums)|Kop]] in a 3–0 win.<ref>{{harvnb|Carragher|2008|p=108}}</ref> Despite this auspicious start, it proved to be his last contribution to the [[1996–97 Liverpool F.C. season|1996–97]] campaign.<ref>{{harvnb|Carragher|2008|p=110}}</ref>

Carragher broke into the first team in the [[1997–98 Liverpool F.C. season|1997–98]] season as Liverpool struggled to keep pace with [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] and [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] despite having talented players such as Owen, Redknapp, [[Robbie Fowler]], [[Steve McManaman]] and [[Paul Ince]].<ref>{{harvnb|Carragher|2008|p=112}}</ref> Throughout his early playing career, he was essentially used as a utility player that spent time as a centre-half, full-back and defensive [[midfielder]] in a squad that was often negatively labelled the "[[Spice Boys (footballers)|Spice Boys]]".

Carragher learned to shun the spotlight and focus on football instead as new manager [[Gérard Houllier]] used him consistently in a new continental side focused on discipline.<ref>May, Pete (4 November 2001). [https://www.theguardian.com/observer/osm/story/0,,583485,00.html The 10 worst examples of footballers behaving badly]. The Guardian</ref> In his autobiography, ''Carra'', Carragher admitted that "I always felt close to Gérard", and was full of praise for the French manager during the early part of his reign.<ref>{{harvnb|Carragher|2008|p=120}}</ref> He went on to make 44 appearances in the [[1998–99 Liverpool F.C. season|1998–99]] season, and was named as the club's Player of the Year.<ref>{{harvnb|Carragher|2008|p=130}}</ref>

Carragher was restricted to the right-back position after scoring two own goals in a 3–2 home defeat to Manchester United early in the [[1999–2000 Liverpool F.C. season|1999–2000]] season.<ref>{{harvnb|Carragher|2008|p=136}}</ref> Houllier never again played him at centre-back, as [[Sami Hyypiä]] and [[Stéphane Henchoz]] formed a solid partnership.<ref>{{harvnb|Carragher|2008|p=137}}</ref>

The [[2000–01 Liverpool F.C. season|2000–01 season]] saw Carragher switch to the left-back position and win his first senior honours, as Liverpool went on to win the [[FA Cup]], [[Football League Cup|League Cup]], [[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]], [[FA Community Shield|Community Shield]] and [[UEFA Super Cup|Super Cup]] in the space of just a few months.

During a January 2002 [[2001–02 FA Cup|FA Cup]] tie against Arsenal, Carragher threw a coin back into the stands that had been tossed at him and received a [[Fouls and misconduct (association football)|red card]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Paul|last=Hayward|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2428868/Liverpool-lost-in-red-mist.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2428868/Liverpool-lost-in-red-mist.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Liverpool lost in red mist|date=27 January 2002|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|access-date=6 May 2010 | location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Vivek|last=Chaudhary|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/jan/28/newsstory.sport1|title=Carragher could face legal action|date=28 January 2002|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=6 May 2010 | location=London}}</ref> He escaped an [[The Football Association|FA]] misconduct charge after publicly apologising, but he did receive a formal police warning about the incident.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/sport/newsid_1787000/1787145.stm|title=Carragher escapes charge for coin throw |date=30 January 2002|work=[[Newsround]]|publisher=BBC|access-date=6 May 2010}}</ref>

From 2002 to 2004, Carragher sufferered two serious injuries, missing the [[2002 FIFA World Cup]] for an operation on his knee, and later receiving a broken leg after a tackle by [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]]' [[Lucas Neill]] at [[Ewood Park]] in September 2003. During this period, his place in the team was also threatened by signings of [[Steve Finnan]] and [[John Arne Riise]]. Despite this, he was able to win a second [[2003 Football League Cup Final|League Cup]] in 2003 with Liverpool, and shortly afterwards was named the club's vice-captain.

===Champions League and FA Cup success (2004–2007)===
[[File:Carragher.jpg|210px|thumb|right|Carragher in action against [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]] in 2006]]
The [[2004–05 Liverpool F.C. season|2004–05 season]] proved to be a career-defining one for Carragher. New manager [[Rafael Benítez]] moved him to centre-half, where he made 56 appearances all season alongside [[Sami Hyypiä]]. Carragher developed a reputation as a strong and positionally astute defender and remained in the centre-half position for the rest of his career.<ref>{{cite news |date=7 March 2007 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/mar/07/sport.comment1 |title=Is Jamie Carragher England's best defender? |work=GuardianUnlimited |access-date=28 October 2008 | location=London| first=Rob| last=Smyth}}</ref> Carragher worked closely with Benítez's assistant [[Pako Ayestarán]], whom he later described as the best fitness coach of his career.<ref>{{cite web |last=Murphy |first=Darragh |title=Exchange of compliments with Pako Ayestarán ends with Jamie Carragher trolling stickler for spelling |url=https://www.sportsjoe.ie/football/exchange-of-compliments-with-pako-ayestaran-ends-with-jamie-carragher-trolling-stickler-for-spelling-122865 |website=SportsJOE.ie |date=10 May 2017 |access-date=6 June 2025}}</ref>

This season saw Carragher prove central to Liverpool's triumph in the [[UEFA Champions League]], in particular when he made two vital last-ditch intercepts in the [[2005 UEFA Champions League Final|final]] in extra-time whilst suffering from cramp.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/4579949.stm|title=Champions League final clockwatch|date=25 May 2005|publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=6 May 2010}}</ref> Carragher was awarded the [[Liverpool F.C. Player of the Season|Liverpool Player of the Year Award]] at the end of the campaign, and went on to captain the team to their [[2005 UEFA Super Cup|UEFA Super Cup]] victory over [[PFC CSKA Moscow|CSKA Moscow]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/4180288.stm|title=Liverpool 3–1 CSKA Moscow (aet) |date=26 August 2005|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=28 September 2010}}</ref> He was nominated for football's most prestigious individual accolade, the [[Ballon d'Or]], in [[2005 Ballon d'Or|2005]].<ref name="rsssf">{{cite web |last= Pierrend |first= José | url = https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/europa-poy05.html | title = European Footballer of the Year ("the best 2005 | date = 29 January 2006 | work = [[RSSSF]] }}</ref>

In May 2006, Carragher played in the [[2006 FA Cup Final|FA Cup Final]] against [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]], his tenth final in as many years of club football. Despite scoring an [[own goal]] in the 21st minute, Liverpool went on to win the final 3–1 on penalties after the match finished 3–3 after extra-time, giving Carragher his second FA Cup win. He appeared in the [[FA Community Shield]] win two months later.

{{Quote box
|quote="I'd plummeted to the deepest pit of misery, only to instantly recover to ascend the highest of peaks... no footballer fancies a sneak preview of the most humiliating defeat in sporting history. But having staged a comeback that will echo in eternity, none of us would want it any other way."
|source=— Carragher reflects on Liverpool's Champions League win.<ref>{{harvnb|Carragher|2008|p=251}}</ref>|width=35%|align=right}}

On 9 December 2006, Carragher scored his first league goal since January 1999, in a match against [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]] at [[Anfield]]. Fellow defender [[Daniel Agger]] flicked the ball on from a corner, and Carragher slid the ball under Fulham keeper [[Jan Laštůvka]] at the far post. The goal was only his fourth in his Liverpool career.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/6201456.stm|title=Liverpool 4–0 Fulham |date=10 December 2006|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=28 September 2010|first=John|last=Sinnott}}</ref>

In Liverpool's [[UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] semi-final second leg against [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] on 1 May 2007, Carragher set a new record for the most appearances in European competition for the club—his 90th European match—taking him past [[Ian Callaghan]]'s 89 matches between 1964 and 1978.<ref>{{cite web | url =http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/news/kind=1/newsid=534230.html| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20070504070611/http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/news/kind=1/newsid=534230.html| url-status =dead| archive-date =4 May 2007| title =Carragher the UEFA king at Anfield | access-date = 3 May 2007}}</ref>

Carragher was voted as Liverpool's Player of the Year for a third time after the [[2006–07 Liverpool F.C. season|2006–07 season]] by the fans, and immediately agreed a contract extension until 2011. That season also saw Carragher announce his international retirement, citing frustration with a lack of appearances under [[Steve McClaren]].{{Cn|date=September 2024}}

===Later Liverpool career (2007–2013)===
[[File:Liverpool F.C. lineup - Wigan Athletic v Liverpool, 9th March 2010.jpg|thumb|right|Carragher (second from right) lining up for Liverpool in 2010]]

The [[2007–08 Liverpool F.C. season|2007–08 season]] saw Carragher reach his 500th appearance for Liverpool, for which he was made captain. On 18 May 2009, in the match against [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]], Carragher was involved in an on-field clash with fellow defender [[Álvaro Arbeloa]], and the two had to be separated by teammates [[Xabi Alonso]] and Daniel Agger. Manager Rafael Benítez refused to comment on the matter, while Carragher later explained, "We want to keep a clean sheet and we want [[Pepe Reina|Pepe]] to have a chance of the [[Premier League Golden Glove|Golden Glove]] for the fourth season running."<ref>Eaton, Paul (17 May 2009). [https://web.archive.org/web/20090522114824/http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N164424090517-1644.htm Carra explains Arbeloa exchange]. liverpoolfc.tv</ref>

The following season saw many{{Who?|date=September 2024}} questioning his performances and whether he should remain in the starting line-up, although a solid performance against Manchester United on 25 October 2009 silenced his critics.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8316379.stm|publisher=BBC Sport |first=Phil|last=McNulty|title=Liverpool 2–0 Manchester United|date=25 October 2009| access-date=5 May 2010}}</ref> Four days later, he was sent off in a game against Fulham, which was his first red card in more than seven years.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8330334.stm|publisher=BBC Sport |first=Mandeep|last=Sanghera|title=Fulham 3–1 Liverpool|date=31 October 2009|access-date=5 May 2010}}</ref>

[[File:Jamie Carragher 2011 Singapore.jpg|left|140px|thumb|Carragher during a pre-season training session with Liverpool in 2011]]
On 4 September 2010, a mixture of Liverpool players past and present played an [[Everton F.C.|Everton XI]] in Carragher's charity fund-raising [[testimonial match]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/sep/04/jamie-carragher-testimonial-liverpool-everton|title=Jamie Carragher scores for both teams in Liverpool testimonial|date=4 September 2010|work=The Guardian|access-date=28 September 2010|location=London}}</ref> All proceeds from the game at Anfield went to local charities through Carragher's 23 Foundation.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/8664825.stm|title=Jamie Carragher lines up charity testimonial match|date=6 May 2010|publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=6 May 2010}}</ref> He scored a goal for each side as his Liverpool team beat the visitors 4–1, first by scoring from the spot for the Reds, then converting a second-half penalty own goal for the club he had supported as a boy.

On 24 October 2010, Carragher scored his seventh own goal in the Premier League.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/7943499/Liverpool-2-Blackburn-Rovers-1-match-report.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/7943499/Liverpool-2-Blackburn-Rovers-1-match-report.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Liverpool 2 Blackburn Rovers 1|date=24 October 2010|work=The Telegraph|access-date=30 November 2010|location=London|first=Ian|last=Chadband}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Weeks later, he dislocated his shoulder in a 2–1 defeat to [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]]. He was out for around three months with the injury as it required surgery.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/9236274.stm|title=Liverpool's Carragher faces three months out injured |date=30 November 2010|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=30 November 2010}}</ref> He returned on 6 February against [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]].

[[File:Jamie Carragher Liverpool vs Bolton 2011.jpg|thumb|right|130px|Carragher playing for Liverpool in 2011]]
On 24 February 2011, Carragher made his 137th European appearance in a match against [[AC Sparta Prague|Sparta Prague]] at [[Anfield]], setting a new British record. On 17 April 2011, during a match against Arsenal at the [[Emirates Stadium]], both Carragher and [[Jon Flanagan]] tried to head away the same ball, resulting in their heads colliding and Carragher being knocked out. After six minutes of treatment, Carragher was stretchered off and replaced by [[Sotirios Kyrgiakos]]. Carragher recovered in time to make his 666th appearance for Liverpool days later, in a 5–2 victory against [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/9475026.stm|title=Football – Fulham 2–5 Liverpool|date=9 May 2011| publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=9 May 2011}}</ref> This appearance put Carragher second in the list of Liverpool's all-time appearance makers, behind [[Ian Callaghan]] with 857 games. In 2012, Carragher won a third [[2012 Football League Cup Final|League Cup]] with Liverpool.

In the first game of the [[2012–13 Liverpool F.C. season|2012–13 season]], and the start of [[Brendan Rodgers]]' term as Liverpool manager, Carragher made his 700th appearance for Liverpool in a 1–0 victory in the [[2012–13 UEFA Europa League|Europa League]] third-round qualifying tie against [[FC Gomel]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/downing-gives-reds-edge |title=Liverpool F.C. 1 – 0 FC Gomel Match Report |date=2 August 2012 |work=[[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] |publisher=Liverpool F.C. |access-date=2 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120804180035/http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/downing-gives-reds-edge |archive-date= 4 August 2012 }}</ref> Carragher often captained the side during the Europa League, and after a period of time only making league appearances as a substitute, he began to again earn a string of starting places.

===Retirement===
[[File:Jamie Carragher mosaic.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.9|Liverpool fans pay tribute to Carragher with the mosaic JC23 (his initials and shirt number) on [[Liverpool F.C.#Support|the Kop]] prior to his last competitive match for the club on 19 May 2013]]
On 7 February 2013, Carragher announced that he would retire at the end of the season, stating "It has been a privilege and honour to represent this great club for as long as I have and I am immensely proud to have done so since I was 9."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/lfc-statement-on-jamie-carragher |title=LFC statement on Jamie Carragher |date=7 February 2013 |access-date=7 February 2013 |publisher=Liverpool F.C. Official Website |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130210113800/http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/lfc-statement-on-jamie-carragher |archive-date=10 February 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool/9856647/Jamie-Carragher-Liverpools-unsung-hero-deserves-his-place-among-the-clubs-all-time-greats.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool/9856647/Jamie-Carragher-Liverpools-unsung-hero-deserves-his-place-among-the-clubs-all-time-greats.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title= Jamie Carragher, Liverpool's unsung hero, deserves his place among the club's all-time greats|date=8 February 2013|work= The Daily Telegraph|access-date=8 February 2013 }}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/feb/07/liverpool-jamie-carragher-retire-season|title= Liverpool's Jamie Carragher to retire from football at end of season|date=7 February 2013|work= Guardian UK|access-date=8 February 2013 }}</ref>

On 9 March 2013, he played his 500th league game for Liverpool, in a 3–2 win over [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]]. On 19 May 2013, Carragher played his 737th and final game for Liverpool in a 1–0 win over [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]]. Before the match, he was given a [[guard of honour]] and was presented with a special trophy commemorating his career by [[Steven Gerrard]] and [[Ian Callaghan]]. During the match, despite his sparse goal record, Carragher hit [[Robert Green]]'s post with a 30-yard strike, before being substituted in the 87th minute to a standing ovation from both sets of fans and players.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22499180|title=Liverpool 1–0 QPR|publisher= BBC Sport|access-date=19 May 2013}}</ref>

==International career==
In 1996, Carragher made his first appearance for the [[England national under-21 football team|England U21]] side. Playing as a defensive midfielder, he became a regular for the team and was eventually made [[Captain (sports)|captain]]. By 2000, when he became ineligible for the team due to age, he had set the record for the most caps at this level with 27. This record was later eclipsed in 2007 by former Liverpool goalkeeper [[Scott Carson]].<ref>{{cite news | title = England U21 defeats Serbia U21 to advance to semifinals | publisher = WSN | date = 17 June 2007 | access-date = 29 July 2009| url=http://www.wsn.com/2007/06/17/football/news/england/england-u21-defeats-serbia-u21-to-advance-to-semifinals_21732/}}</ref>

On 28 April 1999, he earned his first cap for the senior [[England national football team|England]] team, coming on as a substitute against [[Hungary national football team|Hungary]]. He made his full international debut against [[Netherlands national football team|Netherlands]] at [[White Hart Lane]] in 2001, and later came on as a substitute in England's famous [[2001 Germany vs England football match|5–1]] victory over [[Germany national football team|Germany]] in the [[Olympiastadion (Munich)|Olympiastadion]]. Carragher missed the [[2002 FIFA World Cup]] to undergo surgery on a knee injury; although he had the option to delay surgery, this would have required him to miss pre-season training with Liverpool.<ref>{{harvnb|Carragher|2008|p=204}}</ref>

He was selected for [[UEFA Euro 2004]] but did not play a game, [[Ledley King]] being preferred in his position. He was later selected for the [[2006 FIFA World Cup]], and although not in the original starting eleven, he replaced [[Gary Neville]], who suffered an injury.

Carragher was one of three players to have a penalty saved by Portugal's [[Ricardo (footballer, born 1976)|Ricardo]], as England yet again succumbed to a penalty shoot-out exit in the quarter-finals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=97410300/match=97410059/index.html#nosticky|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150228021125/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=97410300/match=97410059/index.html#nosticky|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 February 2015|title=2006 FIFA World Cup Germany ™ – Matches – England-Portugal |website=FIFA}}</ref> Carragher, who had been brought on as a substitute for [[Aaron Lennon]] late in the game, scored with his first attempt but was forced to re-take his penalty by referee [[Horacio Elizondo]], who had not blown his whistle. Carragher's shot hit the bar from the follow-up attempt.

On 9 July 2007, it was reported that Carragher was considering retiring from the England squad. When [[Talksport]] host [[Adrian Durham]] accused Carragher of "bottling it" on his programme, Carragher phoned in to defend himself and say that as he was not being regularly selected he was indeed thinking about retirement, but would leave it until the upcoming match against Germany to decide.<ref>{{cite news
 |date=10 July 2007 
 |url=http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=476053&CPID=8&clid=14&lid=2&title=JC+goes+ga-ga+over+radio+slur&channel=football_home& 
 |title=JC goes ga-ga over radio slur 
 |publisher=SkySports 
 |access-date=10 July 2007 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070712145122/http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=476053&CPID=8&clid=14&lid=2&title=JC+goes+ga-ga+over+radio+slur&channel=football_home& 
 |archive-date=12 July 2007 
}}</ref> Carragher did retire from international football, although he left open the possibility to return if needed for an international tournament.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/6947786.stm | work=BBC News | title=McClaren fails in Carragher bid | date=15 August 2007 | access-date=5 May 2010}}</ref> In his autobiography, he stated a number of reasons for his retirement: he prioritised Liverpool over England, he wanted to spend more time with his family, and most of all he was unwilling to feature as a squad player.<ref>{{harvnb|Carragher|2008|p=217}}</ref>

On 11 May 2010, it was announced that Carragher had been named in [[Fabio Capello]]'s preliminary 30-man squad for the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2010/teams/england/7709997/World-Cup-2010-Fabio-Capello-names-30-man-England-squad.html |title=World Cup 2010: Fabio Capello names 30-man England squad |date=11 May 2010 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |access-date=11 May 2010 |location=London |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100615191401/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2010/teams/england/7709997/World-Cup-2010-Fabio-Capello-names-30-man-England-squad.html |archive-date=15 June 2010 }}</ref> Carragher said of his return to international football, "The FA got in touch a few weeks ago and asked if I would have a rethink, due to injury problems; I said I would make myself available."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8673706.stm|title=Fabio Capello makes surprise England World Cup choices|date=11 May 2010|publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=11 May 2010}}</ref>

On 24 May, Carragher played his first match for England in three years, a friendly against [[Mexico national football team|Mexico]] which England won 3–1.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8699042.stm|title=England 3–1 Mexico |date=24 May 2010|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=27 September 2010}}</ref> Carragher appeared in both of England's opening World Cup games, receiving a booking in each which resulted in a one-match ban.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jun/18/england-algeria-world-cup-2010-match-report|title=World Cup 2010: England labour to goalless draw with Algeria|date=18 June 2010|work=The Guardian|access-date=27 September 2010|location=London|first=Kevin|last=McCarra}}</ref> He was not selected for the knock-out stage exit at the hands of Germany, being dropped in favour of [[Matthew Upson]]. Carragher permanently retired from international football, stating that his international return had been a "one-off" due to injuries to other players.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/8786191.stm | work=BBC News | title=Carragher to focus on Liverpool | date=3 July 2010}}</ref>

==Style of play==
[[File:Osvaldo shoots.jpg|thumb|300px|Carragher blocks a shot from [[A.S. Roma|Roma]]'s [[Dani Osvaldo]] in 2012]]
Carragher played as an [[attacking midfielder]] in his early days at Anfield and had been a [[Forward (association football)#Striker|striker]] as a child, but he soon learned the art of defending.<ref name="Redknapp interview">{{cite web|title=Redknapp on Carragher|url=https://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/3146|website=LFCHistory.net|access-date=30 September 2015}}</ref> He was able to play across the back four, often playing as a utility [[Full back (association football)|full back]] on either flank, and occasionally in the [[Central midfielder|centre of midfield]] early in his Liverpool career but went on to spend most of his time at club and country level at centre-back. When playing at full back Carragher was sometimes labelled as a "limited [[Defender (association football)|defender]]" as he compared unfavourably with attacking full-backs due to his lack of pace or notable technical skills.<ref name="page 141">{{harvnb|Carragher|2008|p=141}}</ref><ref name="Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher to retire">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/liverpool-defender-jamie-carragher-to-retire-1.1332761|title=Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher to retire|publisher=CBC|date=7 February 2013|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref><ref name="Is Jamie Carragher England's best defender?">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/mar/07/sport.comment1|title=Is Jamie Carragher England's best defender?|work=The Guardian|author1=Rob Smyth|date=7 March 2007|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref>

A strong, versatile and consistent old-fashioned centre-back, who was known in particular for his work-rate, stamina, loyalty, leadership and commitment, as well as his courageous, no-nonsense and hard-tackling playing style, Carragher was gifted with organisational ability, intelligence, concentration, and tactical awareness, which enabled him to excel at reading the game, chase down opponents, and produce last-ditch tackles.<ref name="Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher to retire"/><ref name="Is Jamie Carragher England's best defender?"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/feb/07/liverpool-jamie-carragher-andy-hunter|title=Liverpool will miss Jamie Carragher, a rare breed who defied doubters|work=The Guardian|author1=Andy Hunter|date=7 February 2013|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/01/29/premier-leagues-100-best-players/carragher-sorts-out-his-defence/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/01/29/premier-leagues-100-best-players/carragher-sorts-out-his-defence/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Premier League's 100 best players – where does Ryan Giggs rank amongst the greatest?|work=The Telegraph|date=1 July 2016|access-date=26 August 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/96060-new-lfc-book-and-carra-s-early-days|title=New LFC book and Carra's early days|publisher=Liverpool F.C.|date=13 May 2011|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://thesefootballtimes.co/2016/03/07/jamie-carragher-the-perfect-form-of-a-true-football-fanatic/|title=Jamie Carragher: the perfect form of a true football fanatic|work=These Football Times|author1=Jon Townsend|date=3 July 2016|access-date=28 March 2017}}</ref>

Former teammate Jamie Redknapp described him as "ultra competitive and probably the most driven footballer I have ever met".<ref name="Redknapp interview" /> Carragher was named by [[Didier Drogba]] as the toughest opponent he had ever played against with the Ivorian describing him as an aggressive but fair defender.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/540779/Chelsea-Didier-Drogba-Liverpool-Jamie-Carragher|title=Chelsea's Didier Drogba REVEALS Liverpool player is toughest opponent he's ever faced|first=Anthony|last=Chapman|date=27 November 2014}}</ref>

In addition to his defensive skills, Carragher was also known for his longevity.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/john-terry-captained-chelsea-for-the-500th-time-on-saturday-but-is-he-the-best-centre-back-of-the-9806372.html |title=John Terry captained Chelsea for the 500th time on Saturday – is he the best centre-back in the Premier League era? |work=The Independent |last1=Sheen |first1=Tom |date=20 October 2014 |access-date=27 April 2020 }}</ref>

==Post-retirement activity==
In 2009, Carragher set up the 23 Foundation, a charitable foundation with the stated aims of helping the youth of Merseyside.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jamie Carragher 23 Foundation|url=https://jamiecarragher23.co.uk/|access-date=28 November 2018|archive-date=1 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101025752/http://jamiecarragher23.co.uk/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2010, he donated all the proceeds from his testimonial year to the charity which created an initial fund of £1 million.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jamie Carragher, Juan Mata and the charitable footballers making a difference |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/the-agony-and-the-ecstasy/2016/jan/22/charitable-footballers-jamie-carragher-juan-mata |newspaper=The Guardian |date=22 January 2016 |access-date=29 November 2018|last1=Foster |first1=Richard }}</ref>

In August 2015, Carragher visited "Carragher's", a pub dedicated to his career at Liverpool, on West 39th street, [[Manhattan|Manhattan, New York]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/look-inside-new-york-pub-9886233|title=Look inside the New York pub dedicated to Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher|last=Collinson|first=Dawn|date=2015-08-19|newspaper=liverpoolecho|access-date=2016-11-17}}</ref> It was revealed that Carragher would return to the pitch to play for England in [[Soccer Aid]], a charity football match in aid of [[UNICEF]], alongside Robbie Fowler.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://blogs.unicef.org.uk/2016/05/02/four-footballing-legends-liverpool-manchester-united-join-soccer-aid-line/ |title=Liverpool and Manchester United legends are first football players for Soccer Aid line-up |publisher=Unicef |date=3 May 2016 |access-date=3 May 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605064214/https://blogs.unicef.org.uk/2016/05/02/four-footballing-legends-liverpool-manchester-united-join-soccer-aid-line/ |archive-date=5 June 2016 }}</ref>

In January 2018, Carragher visited Kingsway House, a shelter which had been set up for rough sleepers by Liverpool hotel firm Signature Living. He spent several hours talking to homeless residents and the volunteers and announced plans for a special charity football match featuring ex-Liverpool and ex-Everton players and celebrities.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Thorp |first1=Liam |title=Carragher delights rough sleepers with surprise visit to Signature shelter |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/jamie-carragher-delights-rough-sleepers-14107589 |website=liverpoolecho |access-date=6 December 2018 |date=3 January 2018}}</ref>

Carragher has worked with Liverpool fan Andy Grant, a former [[Royal Marines|Royal Marine]] who was hit by a bomb in [[Afghanistan]] which resulted in his right leg being amputated, in helping to promote his story and his subsequent autobiography. Both men are from Bootle, and Grant has said: "It's safe to say I never dreamed that at 30 I would be able to call on a mate and have him host a night of talking about my autobiography".<ref>{{cite web |title=How Andy Grant went from royal marine to record-breaking amputee |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/andy-grant-video-olympic-athlete-royal-marine-afghanistan-bomb-amputee-a8369621.html |website=The Independent |access-date=11 December 2018 |language=en |date=11 December 2018}}</ref> In May 2018, Grant released his book ''You'll Never Walk''. Carragher was present at several of the book launches and provided the book's [[foreword]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Andy Grant Discusses 'you'll Never Walk Alone' With Jamie Carragher |url=https://www.list.co.uk/event/1036302-andy-grant-discusses-youll-never-walk-alone-with-jamie-carragher/ |website=list.co.uk |access-date=11 December 2018}}</ref>

On 10 October 2018, Carragher joined the opening of Cotton Street shelter.<ref>{{cite web |title=World Homeless Day 2018 {{!}} Opening Cotton Street Shelter in Liverpool |url=http://lawrencekenwright.co.uk/cotton-street-opening/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118135739/http://lawrencekenwright.co.uk/cotton-street-opening/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=18 November 2018 |website=Lawrence Kenwright |access-date=18 December 2018 |date=10 October 2018}}</ref> The Cotton Street Project welcomes Liverpool's most vulnerable members of society to enjoy the shelter. Carragher said: "What Lawrence is doing is fantastic. I am proud to give him and the Cotton Street Project my support. I'll be keeping in regular contact with those using the shelter and hopefully helping them to turn their lives around for the better."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Thorp |first1=Liam |title=Carragher says UK should spend less on foreign aid and focus on homeless |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/jamie-carragher-says-uk-should-15260786 |website=liverpoolecho |access-date=18 December 2018 |date=10 October 2018}}</ref>

===Media career===
Carragher signed a contract with [[Sky Sports]] for the 2013–14 season to appear as a [[pundit]] alongside [[Graeme Souness]], Neville and Redknapp.<ref name="www1.skysports.com">{{Cite news |title=Jamie Carragher joins the Sky Sports team for the 2013/14 season |url=http://www1.skysports.com/news/11661/8680593/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619221427/http://www1.skysports.com/news/11661/8680593/ |archive-date=19 June 2013 |access-date=2025-02-06 |work=SkySports |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref> Carragher appeared on ''[[Monday Night Football (Sky Sports)|Monday Night Football]]'' on Sky Sports alongside Neville with presenter [[Ed Chamberlin]] from 2013 to 2016. Carragher and Neville were praised for their analysis, with their former [[Liverpool F.C.–Manchester United F.C. rivalry|on-field rivalry]] adding to their personalities on-air.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sky Sports' Monday Night Football bringing the best out of Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/10748266/Sky-Sports-Monday-Night-Football-bringing-the-best-out-of-Gary-Neville-and-Jamie-Carragher.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/10748266/Sky-Sports-Monday-Night-Football-bringing-the-best-out-of-Gary-Neville-and-Jamie-Carragher.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=6 April 2014 }}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Carragher is an occasional sports columnist for the ''[[Daily Mail]]''. In January 2014, the ''Daily Mail'' struck a partnership deal with [[Talksport]] radio which saw ''Mail'' journalists and columnists, including Carragher, appear as guests on the station.<ref>{{cite web |title=Daily Mail partnership with Talksport could see columnists like Jamie Redknapp and Jamie Carragher appear on radio station |url=https://www.thedrum.com/news/2014/01/14/daily-mail-partnership-talksport-could-see-columnists-jamie-redknapp-and-jamie |website=The Drum |access-date=2 November 2018 |language=en}}</ref>

In August 2017, Danish Sports Channel [[TV3 Sport]], signed Carragher as its new football expert. He provided live analysis of the UEFA Champions League.<ref>{{cite web |title=MTG signs Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher as new football expert |url=https://www.mtg.com/pressreleases/mtg-signs-liverpool-legend-jamie-carragher-as-new-football-expert/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181109070753/https://www.mtg.com/press-releases/mtg-signs-liverpool-legend-jamie-carragher-as-new-football-expert/ |archive-date=9 November 2018 |access-date=8 November 2018 |website=MTG}}</ref>

On 11 October 2017, Carragher was unveiled as ''[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]''{{'}}s new football columnist.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Carragher |first1=Jamie |title=Jamie Carragher's Premier League XI of 2017 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/10/11/jamie-carraghers-premier-league-xi-2017-does-telegraphs-new/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/10/11/jamie-carraghers-premier-league-xi-2017-does-telegraphs-new/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |website=The Telegraph |access-date=13 November 2018 |date=11 October 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In June 2018, he joined its team of commentators to cover the World Cup in Russia. He also featured in ''The Telegraph''{{'}}s Total Football podcast throughout the tournament.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Telegraph announces editorial line-up and new initiatives for the World Cup by Jessie Sampson |url=https://www.newsworks.org.uk/news-and-opinion/the-telegraph-announces-editorial-line-up-initiatives-and-plans-for-the-world-cup |access-date=13 November 2018 |archive-date=14 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114010921/https://www.newsworks.org.uk/news-and-opinion/the-telegraph-announces-editorial-line-up-initiatives-and-plans-for-the-world-cup |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On 11 March 2018, the ''[[Daily Mirror]]'' published a video showing Carragher spitting at a car carrying a man and 14-year-old girl after covering Manchester United's 2–1 win over Liverpool for Sky. The man driving the vehicle shouted "Unlucky Jamie lad. Two, one."<ref>{{cite web|title=Jamie Carragher: Former Liverpool defender apologises for spitting incident|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43366954|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=12 March 2018|date=11 March 2018}}</ref> After the video surfaced, Carragher issued an apology to the driver and his daughter, calling it a "moment of madness" and the "worst mistake" of his career. He was suspended by Sky Sports and removed from TV3 Sport's coverage the following day.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kelner|first1=Martha|title=Jamie Carragher suspended as ''Sky Sports'' pundit over spitting incident|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/mar/12/jamie-carragher-dropped-by-danish-broadcaster-after-spitting-incident|website=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=12 March 2018|date=12 March 2018}}</ref> He returned to TV3 Sport in early April 2018. Peter Norrelund, CEO of [[Modern Times Group]] issued a statement, saying, "I do not think that a single mistake should have such serious consequences that we can no longer have Jamie Carragher on the team. Therefore, he is back on the football field for TV3 when quarter-finals are played in early April."<ref name="digi_Jami">{{Cite web
| title = Jamie Carragher is back commentating for the first time since spitting incident| work = Digital Spy| date = 4 April 2018| access-date = 16 January 2020| url = https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a853961/jamie-carragher-tv-football-return-spitting-incident/
}}</ref> Carragher made a brief appearance on Sky Sports in July, giving an interview following England's World Cup semi-final defeat to Croatia, before resuming his role as a football pundit in August 2018 for the start of the 2018–19 Premier League season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jamie Carragher returns to Sky Sports role for first time since spitting incident |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/jamie-carraghersky-sports-premier-league-preview-spitting-video-gary-neville-a8482116.html |website=The Independent|date=8 August 2018 }}</ref>

Carragher also became a part of [[CBS Sports Network|CBS Sports]]' [[UEFA Champions League]] coverage,<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Rory |last2=Crafton |first2=Adam |title=An evening with CBS Sports: Goals, glitterballs and what 'UCL Today' tells us about sport on TV |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6091219/2025/01/28/cbs-golazo-champions-league/ |access-date=2025-02-06 |work=The New York Times |date=29 January 2025 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> notably featuring with [[Kate Scott (British presenter)|Kate Scott]], [[Micah Richards]] and [[Thierry Henry]] in a show that achieved widespread critical acclaim.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-05-31 |title=Jamie Carragher: 'CBS was worried whether or not the US audience would understand me' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/article/2024/may/31/jamie-carragher-cbs-uefa-champions-league-today- |access-date=2025-02-06 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-17 |title=CBS Sports president speaks out on Jamie Carragher's 'loyalty' jibe at Kate Abdo & admits Liverpool legend caused a 'headache for everyone' with boozy antics in Dortmund {{!}} Goal.com |url=https://www.goal.com/en/lists/cbs-sports-jamie-carragher-loyalty-kate-abdo-liverpool-headache-dortmund/bltb19af5bed1a2f5ec#cs872b249afe3560ff |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=www.goal.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Personal life==
[[File:Jamie Carragher 2005.jpg|upright|thumb|140px|Carragher in 2005]]

Carragher is of [[Maltese people|Maltese]] descent through his maternal grandfather. He married his childhood sweetheart, Nicola Hart, in 2005.<ref>{{Citation |title=Jamie Carragher: The Untold Story of Liverpool Legend That Pushed Himself Too Far {{!}} E206 | date=21 December 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7QgYVMJ5u4 |language=en |access-date=2022-12-28}}</ref> They have a daughter, [[Mia Carragher|Mia]],<ref name="times">{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/liverpool/article4926186.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201153242/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/liverpool/article4926186.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 December 2008|title=Jamie Carragher's club passion|last=Northcroft|first=Jonathon|date=12 October 2008|work=The Times|access-date=12 March 2009|location=London}}</ref> and a son, [[James Carragher|James]], who is also a footballer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/james-carragher-wigan-hull-city-5769258|title=Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher was at Hull City's Carabao Cup tie|first=Barry|last=Cooper|date=10 August 2021|website=HullLive}}</ref> Upon James' call-up to the [[Malta national football team]], in February 2025, Carragher and his son received [[Maltese nationality law|citizenship of Malta]].<ref name=maltese>{{cite news |last1=Cummings |first1=James |title=Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher and son acquire Maltese citizenship |url=https://timesofmalta.com/article/liverpool-legend-jamie-carragher-son-acquire-maltese-citizenship.1104928 |access-date=10 February 2025 |work=[[The Times of Malta]] |date=9 February 2025}}</ref>

On 8 April 2020, during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Malta]], Carragher sent a message of encouragement to the Maltese people.<ref name="malta" />

Carragher occasionally visits schools as part of his charity work, promoting the importance of family life,<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7660131.stm Carragher on family life]. [[BBC Sport]] (8 October 2008). Retrieved on 17 May 2009.</ref> and is a patron of the [[Alder Hey Children's Hospital|Alder Hey Charity]].<ref>Alder Hey Charity. [http://www.alderheycharity.org/what-we-do/our-patrons/ "Our Patrons"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160711203337/http://www.alderheycharity.org/what-we-do/our-patrons/ |date=11 July 2016 }}, Liverpool 2013. Retrieved on 23 June 2014.</ref> He was awarded the [[Freedom of the City|Freedom]] of the [[Metropolitan Borough of Sefton|Borough of Sefton]] for his local charity work and "the exceptional example he sets to the youth of today" in 2008.

Carragher's autobiography, ''Carra'', was released in 2008.<ref name="auto"/>

Carragher endorsed and donated to [[Andy Burnham]] in the [[2010 Labour Party (UK) leadership election|2010 Labour Party leadership election]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.labourlist.org/jamie-carragher-supporting-andy-burnham|title=Jamie Carragher supporting Andy Burnham|date=21 June 2010|work=LabourList|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100627072914/http://www.labourlist.org/jamie-carragher-supporting-andy-burnham|archive-date=27 June 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Owen |first=Paul |title=Jamie Carragher and Ken Follett among donors to Labour leadership contenders |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2010/aug/12/leabour-leadership-donations-jamie-carragher |date=12 August 2010 |work=The Guardian |access-date=24 October 2024}}</ref> In 2023, he told ''[[UnHerd]]'' that he was not fully into politics because he is "a little bit wary of getting too involved in something that's not [his] area of expertise".<ref name="auto" /> However, he praised the people of Liverpool for their political awareness: "We stand up for ourselves, we don't accept what the government is saying about a certain thing{{emdash}}even now, 30 or so years after [[Hillsborough disaster|Hillsborough]]. [...] The city doesn't allow people to walk all over us, and maybe that [annoys people] around other parts of the country. But I actually love that about this city. It's got that real backbone and it'll fight and it'll take on people."<ref name="auto"

Jamie likes to spit at children in his spare time. />

==Career statistics==

===Club===
{| class=wikitable style="text-align: center;"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
|-
!rowspan=2|Club
!rowspan=2|Season
!colspan=3|League
!colspan=2|[[FA Cup]]
!colspan=2|[[EFL Cup|League Cup]]
!colspan=2|[[UEFA#Club|Europe]]
!colspan=2|Other
!colspan=2|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|-
|rowspan="17"|[[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]
|[[1996–97 Liverpool F.C. season|1996–97]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|9709|1996|access-date=7 November 2017}}</ref>
|[[Premier League]]
||2||1||0||0||1||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||3||1
|-
|[[1997–98 Liverpool F.C. season|1997–98]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|9709|1997|access-date=7 November 2017}}</ref>
|Premier League
|20||0||0||0||2||0||1{{efn|name=UC|Appearances in [[UEFA Cup]]}}||0||colspan=2|—||23||0
|-
|[[1998–99 Liverpool F.C. season|1998–99]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|9709|1998|access-date=7 November 2017}}</ref>
|Premier League
|34||1||2||0||2||0||6{{efn|name=UC}}||0||colspan=2|—||44||1
|-
|[[1999–2000 Liverpool F.C. season|1999–2000]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|9709|1999|access-date=7 November 2017}}</ref>
|Premier League
|36||0||2||0||2||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||40||0
|-
|[[2000–01 Liverpool F.C. season|2000–01]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|9709|2000|access-date=7 November 2017}}</ref>
|Premier League
|34||0||6||0||6||0||12{{efn|name=UC}}||0||colspan=2|—||58||0
|-
|[[2001–02 Liverpool F.C. season|2001–02]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|9709|2001|access-date=7 November 2017}}</ref>
|Premier League
|33||0||2||0||1||0||15{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in [[UEFA Champions League]]}}||0||2{{efn|name=LIV1|One appearance in [[UEFA Super Cup]], one in [[FA Community Shield]]}}||0||53||0
|-
|[[2002–03 Liverpool F.C. season|2002–03]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|9709|2002|access-date=7 November 2017}}</ref>
|Premier League
|35||0||3||0||5||0||11{{efn|name=LIV2|Six appearances in [[UEFA Champions League]], five in [[UEFA Cup]]}}||0||0||0||54||0
|-
|[[2003–04 Liverpool F.C. season|2003–04]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|9709|2003|access-date=7 November 2017}}</ref>
|Premier League
|22||0||3||0||0||0||4{{efn|name=UC}}||0||colspan=2|—||29||0
|-
|[[2004–05 Liverpool F.C. season|2004–05]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|9709|2004|access-date=7 November 2017}}</ref>
|Premier League
|38||0||0||0||3||0||15{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||colspan=2|—||56||0
|-
|[[2005–06 Liverpool F.C. season|2005–06]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|9709|2005|access-date=7 November 2017}}</ref>
|Premier League
|36||0||6||0||0||0||12{{efn|name=UCL}}||1||3{{efn|name=LIV3|Two appearances in [[FIFA Club World Cup]], one in [[UEFA Super Cup]]}}||0||57||1
|-
|[[2006–07 Liverpool F.C. season|2006–07]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|9709|2006|access-date=7 November 2017}}</ref>
|Premier League
|35||1||1||0||1||0||13{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||1{{efn|name=CS|Appearance in [[FA Community Shield]]}}||0||51||1
|-
|[[2007–08 Liverpool F.C. season|2007–08]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|9709|2007|access-date=7 November 2017}}</ref>
|Premier League
|35||0||4||0||3||0||13{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||colspan=2|—||55||0
|-
|[[2008–09 Liverpool F.C. season|2008–09]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|9709|2008|access-date=7 November 2017}}</ref>
|Premier League
|38||0||3||0||1||0||12{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||colspan=2|—||54||0
|-
|[[2009–10 Liverpool F.C. season|2009–10]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|9709|2009|access-date=7 November 2017}}</ref>
|Premier League
|37||0||2||0||1||0||13{{efn|name=LIV4|Five appearances in [[UEFA Champions League]], eight in [[UEFA Europa League]]}}||0||colspan=2|—||53||0
|-
|[[2010–11 Liverpool F.C. season|2010–11]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|9709|2010|access-date=7 November 2017}}</ref>
|Premier League
|28||0||0||0||0||0||10{{efn|name=EL|Appearances in [[UEFA Europa League]]}}||0||colspan=2|—||38||0
|-
|[[2011–12 Liverpool F.C. season|2011–12]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|9709|2011|access-date=7 November 2017}}</ref>
|Premier League
|21||0||5||0||5||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||31||0
|-
|[[2012–13 Liverpool F.C. season|2012–13]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|9709|2012|access-date=7 November 2017}}</ref>
|Premier League
|24||0||1||0||2||0||11{{efn|name=EL}}||0||colspan=2|—||38||0
|-
! colspan=3 | Career total
!508||3||40||0||35||0||148||1||6||0
!737!!4
|}

{{notelist}}

===International===
{| class=wikitable style="text-align: center;"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year
|-
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
| rowspan="12" |[[England national football team|England]]
|1999||1||0
|-
|2000||1||0
|-
|2001||5||0
|-
|2002||1||0
|-
|2003||1||0
|-
|2004||7||0
|-
|2005||6||0
|-
|2006||9||0
|-
|2007||3||0
|-
|2008
|0
|0
|-
|2009
|0
|0
|-
|2010||4||0
|-
!colspan=2|Total||38||0
|}

==Honours==
'''Liverpool Youth'''
*[[FA Youth Cup]]: [[FA Youth Cup|1995–96]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Lamont |first=Tom |date=1 February 2009 |title=Frozen in time |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/feb/01/liverpool-westhamunited |access-date=6 February 2025 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

'''Liverpool'''
*[[FA Cup]]: [[2000–01 FA Cup|2000–01]], [[2005–06 FA Cup|2005–06]]; runner-up: [[2011–12 FA Cup|2011–12]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Match Details: Liverpool 1 Chelsea 2 |url=https://www.lfchistory.net/SeasonArchive/Game/5325 |website=LFCHistory.net |access-date=9 June 2022}}</ref>
*[[Football League Cup]]: [[2000–01 Football League Cup|2000–01]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/worthington_cup/1187654.stm |title=Blues shot down as Liverpool lift cup |website=BBC Sport |date=25 February 2001 |access-date=28 March 2024}}</ref> [[2002–03 Football League Cup|2002–03]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/2811805.stm |title=Liverpool lift Worthington Cup |website=BBC Sport |date=2 March 2003 |access-date=27 March 2024}}</ref> [[2011–12 Football League Cup|2011–12]]; runner-up: [[2004–05 Football League Cup|2004–05]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Liverpool 2–3 Chelsea |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/4279679.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=27 February 2005 |access-date=8 June 2022}}</ref>
*[[FA Community Shield|FA Charity/Community Shield]]: [[2001 FA Charity Shield|2001]], [[2006 FA Community Shield|2006]]
*[[UEFA Champions League]]: [[2004–05 UEFA Champions League|2004–05]]; runner-up [[2006–07 UEFA Champions League|2006–07]]<ref>{{cite web |title=AC Milan 2–1 Liverpool |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/6669039.stm |website=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=8 June 2022 |date=23 May 2007}}</ref>
*[[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]]: [[2000–01 UEFA Cup|2000–01]]
*[[European Super Cup|UEFA Super Cup]]: [[2001 UEFA Super Cup|2001]], [[2005 UEFA Super Cup|2005]]
*[[FIFA Club World Championship]] runner-up: [[2005 FIFA Club World Championship Final|2005]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/4533980.stm |title=Sao Paulo 1–0 Liverpool |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 December 2005 |access-date=8 June 2022}}</ref>

'''Individual'''
*[[PFA Team of the Year]]: [[2005–06 FA Premier League|2005–06 Premier League]]
*[[Liverpool Player of the Season Awards|Liverpool Player of the Season]]: [[1998–99 Liverpool F.C. season|1998–99]],{{Citation needed|date=July 2019|reason=}} [[2004–05 Liverpool F.C. season|2004–05]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/carra-wins-tv-player-of-the-season|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714195500/http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/carra-wins-tv-player-of-the-season|url-status=dead|archive-date=2015-07-14|title=Carra wins .tv player of the season – Liverpool FC|date=2015-07-14|access-date=2019-07-09}}</ref>
*[[Freedom of the City|Honorary Freedom of the]] [[Metropolitan Borough of Sefton]]: 23 January 2006<ref>{{cite web |title=Honorary Freedom of the Borough |url=https://www.sefton.gov.uk/your-council/the-mayor/honorary-freedom-of-the-borough/ |website=Sefton Borough Council |access-date=27 February 2022}}</ref>
* [[Honorary title (academic)|Honorary Fellowship]] from [[Liverpool John Moores University]]: July 2012<ref>{{cite web |title=Honorary Fellows 2012 |url=https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/about-us/our-vision-and-values/fellows/honorary-fellows-2012 |website=Liverpool John Moores University |access-date=27 February 2022 |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227232835/https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/about-us/our-vision-and-values/fellows/honorary-fellows-2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Jamie Carragher's Honorary Fellowship Oration |url=https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/about-us/our-vision-and-values/fellows/honorary-fellows-2012/jamie-carragher |website=Liverpool John Moores University |access-date=27 February 2022 |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227232833/https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/about-us/our-vision-and-values/fellows/honorary-fellows-2012/jamie-carragher |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*Premier League Player of the Year by Northwest Football Awards: 2013<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/148543-lfc-clean-up-at-northwest-football-awards |title=LFC clean up at Northwest Football Awards |publisher=Liverpool F.C. |date=5 November 2013 |access-date=13 August 2023}}</ref>
* [[One Club Award]]: 2025<ref>{{cite news |title=Liverpool FC's Jamie Carragher is the 2025 One-Club Man |url=https://www.athletic-club.eus/en/news/2025/09/02/liverpool-s-fc-jamie-carragher-is-the-2025-one-club-man/ |access-date=11 September 2025 |publisher=Athletic Bilbao |date=11 September 2025}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of one-club men in association football]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

;Bibliography
*{{Citation|last=Carragher|first=Jamie|title=Carra: My Autobiography|publisher=Bantam Press|year=2008|isbn=978-0-593-06102-2}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Jamie Carragher}}
* {{Official website|https://jamiecarragher23.com/}}
* [https://www.liverpoolfc.com/info/jamie-carragher Profile] at the Liverpool F.C. website
* {{FIFA player}}
* {{UEFA player}}

{{Navboxes
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|bg= white
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{{England squad UEFA Euro 2004}}
{{England squad 2006 FIFA World Cup}}
{{England squad 2010 FIFA World Cup}}
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{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = gold
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| list1 = 
{{2005–06 FA Premier League PFA Team of the Year}}
{{One Club Award}}
{{Liverpool F.C. Player of the Season}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Carragher, Jamie}}
[[Category:1978 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Footballers from Bootle]]
[[Category:English men's footballers]]
[[Category:Men's association football central defenders]]
[[Category:Men's association football full-backs]]
[[Category:Liverpool F.C. players]]
[[Category:Premier League players]]
[[Category:UEFA Europa League–winning players]]
[[Category:UEFA Champions League–winning players]]
[[Category:CBS Sports people]]
[[Category:England men's youth international footballers]]
[[Category:England men's under-21 international footballers]]
[[Category:England men's B international footballers]]
[[Category:England men's international footballers]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 2004 players]]
[[Category:2006 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:2010 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:English football commentators]]
[[Category:English people of Maltese descent]]
[[Category:English people of Irish descent]]
[[Category:Labour Party (UK) people]]
[[Category:English autobiographers]]
[[Category:Daily Mail journalists]]
[[Category:Naturalised citizens of Malta]]
[[Category:Sportspeople of Irish descent]]