Jamie Carragher, the former Liverpool defender turned Sky Sports pundit, is at the centre of controversy after his remarks about the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) and its impact on Mohamed Salah’s Ballon d’Or ambitions. Carragher’s comments, made following Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Manchester City on Sunday, have sparked an outcry, particularly among African football fans and supporters of the continental tournament.
Liverpool’s dominant performance against Manchester City, powered by goals from Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai, has propelled the Reds into a strong position in the Premier League title race. With their first league championship in five years now within reach, all eyes are on Salah, who continues to be a standout performer for both Liverpool and Egypt.
Following the game, pundits in the Sky Sports studio were quick to praise Salah for his contribution to the team’s success. However, it was Carragher’s comments about Salah’s international commitments that would later draw the most attention.
While discussing the potential winners of the prestigious Ballon d’Or award, Carragher suggested that Salah’s chances of winning the coveted prize are limited due to Egypt’s participation in the AFCON, rather than a major European tournament such as the Champions League or the World Cup.
Carragher explained, “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.”
The Sky Sports pundit went on to suggest that the Ballon d’Or is often influenced by performances in major European competitions, such as the Champions League, which is currently dominated by teams like Real Madrid, who Carragher believes are the frontrunners for the trophy this year.
“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,” Carragher said. “Liverpool will be in that conversation, but right now (Los Blancos) are certainly the frontrunner.”
Carragher further questioned Egypt’s ability to compete at a global level, specifically asking his fellow pundit, Micah Richards, whether he thought Egypt could win the World Cup in the near future. Richards responded by pointing out the significance of the AFCON, but Carragher appeared dismissive of the idea, saying “Oh God.”
The debate soon became heated when former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge intervened. Sturridge, who played alongside Salah at Liverpool, strongly disagreed with Carragher’s viewpoint, emphasising the importance of continental competitions like the AFCON.
“It’s a fact. It’s a fact. It’s a fact,” Sturridge said. “If you win the Euros or Copa America, it’s deemed to be big, so the AFCON is in the same level.”
Sturridge’s comments were a direct response to Carragher’s dismissal of AFCON’s significance, and the former striker’s stance highlighted the growing frustration surrounding the undervaluation of African football on the global stage.
Carragher’s comments quickly sparked a backlash from football fans and pundits alike, many of whom felt that he had shown disrespect towards the African Cup of Nations and, by extension, African football. The anger was palpable across social media, with users pointing out the hypocrisy of dismissing AFCON while European tournaments are often treated as the gold standard for football excellence.
One social media user remarked, “Great example of the Eurocentric mindset.” This comment reflects the widespread belief that European competitions are often given undue importance, while African tournaments like AFCON are undervalued.
These reactions show that many fans believe Carragher’s comments perpetuate a European-centric view of football, which undermines the achievements of players and teams from other parts of the world.
The African Cup of Nations (AFCON) is one of the most prestigious tournaments in international football, bringing together the top national teams from across Africa. For players like Mohamed Salah, AFCON holds immense value, as it provides an opportunity to showcase their talent on the continental stage, and to represent their nations with pride.
Salah’s achievements in the competition are significant. He helped lead Egypt to the final of the 2017 AFCON and won the tournament’s top scorer award. Furthermore, Salah’s contributions to Liverpool, including his pivotal role in their 2019 Champions League victory, have earned him widespread recognition as one of the best players in the world. His triumphs on both the continental and club levels have cemented his status as a footballing icon.
The idea that Salah’s AFCON success should not be taken seriously in the conversation about the Ballon d’Or is troubling to many. AFCON is the equivalent of other continental competitions like the Copa America or the UEFA European Championship (Euro), which have seen players like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo claim Ballon d’Or titles following their victories with Argentina and Portugal, respectively.
The controversy surrounding Carragher’s comments raises larger questions about the way African football is perceived globally. There has long been a debate about the Eurocentric bias that dominates many areas of football, including media coverage, player recognition, and international competitions. The growing prominence of African football, however, is changing that narrative.
