Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has been slammed on social media for making a remark that seeks to undermine the prestige of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
During the post-match analysis of Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Manchester City on February 23, 2025, on SkySports, Carragher asserted that although Mohammed Salah, an Egyptian, excels with Liverpool, the lack of a major tournament for his national team could hinder his chances of winning the Ballon d’Or.
He stated that Real Madrid duo Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. have higher chances of winning the accolade due to their participation in the EUROS and the Copa America, seemingly forgetting about the AFCON.
“I think the problem is that he [Salah] is with Egypt, and he’s probably not playing in a major tournament, or maybe doesn’t have a great chance of winning. I think it’s either the Champions League or a major tournament.
“Normally, the player who excels in that, like Vini Jr. and Mbappe right now, Real Madrid looking really good going for the Champions League. Liverpool will be in that conversation, but right now, Los Blancos are certainly the front-runners,” he said.
However, co-pundits Daniel Sturridge and Micah Richards quickly corrected Carragher, with Richards stating: “Just to say, AFCON is a major tournament. A lot of people are saying they aren’t taking it seriously, but AFCON is a big tournament.”
Sturridge added, “It’s a fact. If you win the Euros or Copa America, it’s deemed big, so AFCON is on the same level.”
In response to the comment, some football fans criticized the former Liverpool defender for being racist for not recognizing AFCON as a major tournament.
Others labeled his remarks as a disgrace and accused him of hating Salah because he hails from Africa.
Carragher is known for criticizing Salah with the two clashing recently on social media over controversy surrounding contract renewal.
Read the social media reactions below:
This is why he struggles to give Salah his flowers. He’s just confirmed to everyone what they all knew.
He’s a racist.
— 𝙆𝙖𝙮™️ #HUGHESOUT (@KayLFC05_) February 23, 2025
Carragher makes some comments & the media overlook.
Saying Salah playing in the AFCON can’t boost his Ballon d’Or chances is pure n0nsense.
Again, this is the kind of narrative pushed by ex-footballers that the voting journalists will fall for.
He must be called out.
— POOJA!!! (@PoojaMedia) February 24, 2025
There’s no universe where the copa America is bigger than AFCON!! The only edge the euros have is media, hype, organization & graphics
Carragher saying Salah can’t sim the balon d’or cos he’s not playing in the copa and euros is not ignorance but RACISM
— BIG AYO🔰 (@47kasz) February 24, 2025
Jamie Carragher: “Salah is from Egypt and therefore not able to win a major competition which may stop him from winning ballon d’or”
Micah Richards: “AFCON is a major competition”
Carragher: “Seriously ?”
Sky Sports have removed this part on YouTube. pic.twitter.com/7Z75Wcaph8
— Mr. Nigerian Football (@AJSilverCFC) February 24, 2025
@SkySports giving platforms to a racist, shame on you. He should’ve never set foot in another studio after the spitting scandal. Sooner or later, he will say/do something so absurd on air and show his true face.
— S A B R🇵🇸 (@sal_b2bg) February 24, 2025
Big up to Micah Richards and Daniel Sturridge for putting Jamie Carragher in his place and letting him know that #AFCON is a major trophy.
Person go just open mouth “waaaa” Dey cap nonsense… pic.twitter.com/c2uix2peL1
— Ekpo “Koko” Nya (@iamEkpo) February 24, 2025
On today’s episode of Jamie Carragher steady talking trash on live tv, here he is casually denigrating the AFCON tournament. I doubt if this man actually knows that Egypt is the biggest nation in AFCON history. By the way, Sky Sports cut this part out of the full clip on YouTube.… pic.twitter.com/IP4ipISySV
— LFC_Amanda (@amandastephen07) February 24, 2025
The disrespect AFCON gets within pundits and even fans is disgusting. Equivalent of Euro/Copa America and these people are treating it like it’s the Carabao Cup. Nasty work from Jamie Carragher! https://t.co/jYFCPNcvZ9 pic.twitter.com/uSH0VkUyVD
— 🇵🇱 Kacper (@KacperTalksFB) February 24, 2025
if CR7 or messi can be a contenders for a ball d’or for winning a continental trophy with their respectice nations, why can’t salah be contender after winning afcon? it is people like him and others like him who say they’re about football but only when it comes to europe, sad.
— scorpiOct89 (@tNaxe23) February 24, 2025
Jamie Carragher disregards AFCON’s significance to downplay Mo Salah’s Ballon d’Or chances. The obsession is real pic.twitter.com/ympt34ryr4
— Dom✨ (@footy_road) February 24, 2025
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