Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher has faced criticism for his remarks regarding the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after Liverpool secured a 2-0 victory over Manchester City on Sunday. The win at the Etihad Stadium, with goals from Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai, significantly advanced the Reds’ quest for their first Premier League title in five years. Discussions among pundits in the Sky Sports studio followed the match (as reported by gbnews). Commentators quickly lauded Salah, but Carragher seemed to criticize the AFCON, suggesting that Salah’s representation of Egypt could hinder his chances of winning the Ballon d’Or. He stated, “The issue is that he’s with Egypt, and he’s likely not participating in any major tournaments where he could excel. It’s typically one of those two: either the Champions League or a major tournament. Players who shine in those competitions, like Vini Jr and Mbappe currently, typically get recognized. While Liverpool will certainly be in the conversation, right now Real Madrid is clearly in the lead for the Champions League.” Carragher went on to inquire if Micah Richards believes Egypt has a chance to win next year’s World Cup. Richards responded, “Not really, but the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is significant, right?” He recalled the time when he and [Sadio] Mane were competing for success. However, Carragher seemed to dismiss his colleague by exclaiming ‘Oh God’… Daniel Sturridge promptly responded to his ex-Liverpool teammate. The former forward stated, “It’s a fact.” It’s a matter of fact. It’s true that winning tournaments like the Euros or Copa America is considered significant, so the AFCON holds an equal status. Football enthusiasts online are now criticizing Carragher for allegedly disrespecting the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). One user pointed out, “A perfect illustration of a Eurocentric perspective.” Another user remarked, “If CR7 or Messi can be considered for the Ballon d’Or after winning a continental trophy with their national teams, why shouldn’t Salah be in contention after his AFCON victory?”
