February 26 – Former Liverpool defender, Jamie Carragher has drawn the ire of former Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand with his comments disparaging the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Carragher was talking in the aftermath of Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Manchester City and suggested that Liverpool forward, Mohamed Salah, will struggle to win the Ballon d’Or because he plays for Egypt.
Salah, who is setting the Premier League on fire this season has never finished higher than 5th for Europe’s most prestigious individual 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,” Carragher said on Sky Sports. “I think it’s either the Champions League or the major tournament [that wins the Ballon d’Or].”
Former City defender, Micah Richards who was also on the panel replied: “I’ll just say, AFCON is a major tournament. A lot of people at home will say they’re taking that seriously. AFCON is a major tournament, just so you know.”
Ferdinand, who has his own channel on Youtube addressed the comments saying: “That comment [Carragher’s] is representative of the majority of people out there,” Ferdinand said.
“The majority of people out there would say that. I don’t think that’s right, I think that’s an ignorant thought process because the [Africa Cup of Nations] … If you go to Didier Drogba, Abedi Pele, Samuel Eto’o, Riyad Mahrez, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane they will tell you we have to win this.
“I understand what Jamie is saying but I don’t agree with it. But I understand that is the majority’s fault and it’s not right.”
Carragher took the bait immediately replying on Instagram: “I didn’t say that you clown, stop playing to the gallery like you always do.”
He then doubled down on X writing: “The point I was trying to make yesterday was that Mo Salah is at a disadvantage playing for Egypt in terms of him winning the Ballon d’Or. If Salah had an average season at LFC but won the AFCON & was MVP I don’t think he would win the Ballon d’Or.”
With Liverpool closing in on a 20th top-flight title which would equal, Manchester United, one wonders if Ferdinand was gaslighting his former England colleague.
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1740579686labto1740579686ofdlr1740579686owedi1740579686sni@o1740579686fni1740579686