Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has come under fire for comments on the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) following Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Manchester City on Sunday.
The Reds took a big step towards a first Premier League title in five years after beating City at the Etihad Stadium following goals from Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai.
After the game, pundits in the Sky Sports studio (via gbnews.com) were quick to praise Salah.
Yet Carragher then appeared to take aim at the AFCON by saying that the fact Salah plays for Egypt was a potential obstacle to him winning the Ballon d’Or award.
“I think the problem (is) the fact he’s with Egypt, and he’s probably not playing in the major tournament as such, or maybe got a great chance of winning, I think it’s either the Champions League or the major tournament,” he said.
“Normally, the player who excels in that, like Vini Jr and (Kylian) 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 frontrunner.”
Carragher then proceeded to ask Micah Richards whether he thinks the Egypt will be in contention to win the World Cup next year.
“No, but AFCON is big, isn’t it?” said the Sky pundit.
“You remember when him and [Sadio] Mane was going for it and…”
But Carragher then appeared to shut down his colleague by saying ‘Oh God’.
Daniel Sturridge was quick to retort to his former Liverpool team-mate. The ex-striker said: “It’s a fact. It’s a fact. It’s a fact.
“If you win the Euros or Copa America it’s deemed to be big so the AFCON is in the same level.”
However, football fans on social media have now blasted Carragher accusing him of disrespecting AFCON.
“Great example of the Eurocentric mindset,” said one user.
A second stated: “If CR7 or Messi can be a contenders for a Ballon d’or for winning a continental trophy with their respective 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.”
Another opined: “AFCON is the only international continental tournament that’s played DURING the league season. No respect given to the African nations that have given us some of the best talent we’ve ever had in Europe.”
A fourth said: “Total disgrace.”
And a fifth fumed: “Starting to dislike this guy now.”
