Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has clarified his comments on the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), insisting he never intended to be “ignorant or disrespectful” after his remarks drew backlash from African football legends.
Speaking on Sky Sports following Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Manchester City, Carragher suggested that Mohamed Salah’s biggest challenge in the Ballon d’Or race was Egypt’s lack of international success and the lesser recognition of AFCON.
His comments quickly sparked criticism from several African football icons, including Ahmed Elmohamady, Jay-Jay Okocha, John Mikel Obi, Emmanuel Adebayor, and Austin Eguavoen.
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Addressing the controversy on a broadcast after Tuesday’s Champions League matches, Carragher admitted that his choice of words was “clumsy” when he suggested that Salah’s Ballon d’Or hopes were hindered by his participation in what he described as a “non-major tournament.”
Carragher clarified that his point was based on historical voting trends for the Ballon d’Or, not a personal critique of AFCON’s importance. “What I would never want to be described as, as a pundit, is ignorant or disrespectful. That was never my aim, whether it’s toward a player, a club, a country, a continent, or an international tournament,” he said.
He acknowledged that his wording was wrong in labeling AFCON as “not a major tournament” and explained, “I was trying to discuss the merits of Mo Salah winning the Ballon d’Or, and I feel that not just AFCON, but also tournaments like the Asian Cup and Gold Cup, don’t resonate with the people who vote for the award.”
Carragher also pointed out that the Ballon d’Or has traditionally favored players who shine in European competitions but reiterated his deep respect for African football.
