Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has sparked controversy with remarks that appeared to downplay the significance of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in the race for football’s highest individual honor, the Ballon d’Or. His comments, made in the aftermath of Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Manchester City, provoked a strong rebuttal from ex-Manchester United stalwart Rio Ferdinand.
Carragher suggested that Mohamed Salah, who is enjoying a scintillating season, faces an uphill battle to claim the Ballon d’Or due to his national allegiance with Egypt. “I think the problem is that he’s with Egypt and probably not playing in what’s seen as one of the major tournaments, or at least not one he’s got a great chance of winning,” Carragher said on Sky Sports. “I think it’s either the Champions League or one of the major international tournaments that usually decides the Ballon d’Or.”
Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards, also part of the discussion, immediately pushed back. “I’ll just say this—AFCON is a major tournament. A lot of people at home will say they take it very seriously. AFCON is a major tournament, just so you know.”
Ferdinand, who addressed the issue on his YouTube channel, took a firm stance against Carragher’s perspective. “That comment from Jamie is actually what a lot of people think,” Ferdinand noted. “But that’s the problem—it’s an ignorant mindset. If you ask legends like Didier Drogba, Abedi Pele, Samuel Eto’o, Riyad Mahrez, Mohamed Salah, or Sadio Mané, they will tell you that winning AFCON means everything.” He continued, “I get what Jamie is trying to say, but I don’t agree with it. It reflects a wider issue in football, and that’s not right.”
The heated exchange escalated when Carragher responded directly to Ferdinand on Instagram, writing, “I didn’t say that, you clown. Stop playing to the gallery like you always do.” He then doubled down on X, clarifying his stance: “The point I was making yesterday was that Mo Salah is at a disadvantage playing for Egypt in terms of winning the Ballon d’Or. If Salah had an average season at Liverpool but won AFCON and was named MVP, I still don’t think he’d win the award.”
With Liverpool on the cusp of securing a record-equaling 20th English league title—matching Manchester United’s haul—the timing of Ferdinand’s remarks has raised eyebrows. Some speculate whether his former England teammate was merely stoking the flames of rivalry.
This article was updated 2 weeks ago
