Jamie Carragher and Rio Ferdinand
English football legends, Jamie Carragher and Rio Ferdinand, have shared differing opinions on the status of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), leading to a heated argument.
During the post-match analysis of Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Manchester City on February 23, 2025, on Sky Sports, 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 2025 Ballon d’Or.
“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.
In response, Ferdinand chided his colleague pundit for harboring an ignorant thought about AFCON.
“I think [what he said] is representative of most people out there, but I don’t think that’s right. It’s an ignorant thought process. Yes, it doesn’t get backed with resources like the Euros, but that doesn’t mean you have to devalue it. It should be respected more than it is. I understand what Jamie’s saying, but I don’t agree with it.
“That’s the majority’s fault, and it’s not right. I think federations like FIFA need to ensure they implement language around AFCON to equal the Euros and the Copa America. Jamie is right in what he’s saying; if Salah won AFCON, it would have no bearing on anyone when they vote for the Ballon d’Or, which is absolutely wrong,” he stated.
However, Carragher was displeased with the former Manchester United defender’s remarks, labeling him a “clown” for misinterpreting his earlier comment.
“I didn’t say that, you clown. Stop playing to the gallery like you always do,” Carragher wrote on Instagram in response to Ferdinand’s comment.
Meanwhile, the Liverpool legend has faced backlash for undermining the prestige of the AFCON and Salah’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or.
Meanwhile, Watch as Ghanaians tell Dede Ayew to retire from Black Stars to protect his legacy:
SB/EK