Former Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa and Egyptian star Mohamed Salah have criticised Jamie Carragher over derogatory comments about the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Carragher’s Controversial AFCON Remarks

The Liverpool legend sparked backlash when he suggested that even if Salah won the AFCON, it wouldn’t significantly boost his chances of winning the Ballon d’Or.

Speaking during a post-match discussion on Sky Sports, Carragher argued that Salah was having a season comparable to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at their peak but claimed that AFCON carried less weight in the Ballon d’Or race.

“Salah is at a disadvantage playing for Egypt in terms of him winning the Ballon d’Or,” Carragher later clarified on X.

“If Salah had an average season at LFC but won the AFCON and was [Player of the Tournament], I don’t think he’d win the Ballon d’Or because I don’t think AFCON carries the weight of other tournaments.”

Musa and Salah Fire Back

Carragher’s comments were met with swift backlash from African football icons who saw them as dismissive of the continent’s most prestigious tournament.

Nigeria’s Ahmed Musa, the nation’s most-capped player and part of the Super Eagles squad that won the 2013 AFCON, responded with a powerful statement. He posted a picture of himself holding the AFCON trophy on X, accompanied by a simple caption: “AFCON. Respect.”

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah also reaffirmed his deep pride in representing Egypt at AFCON, highlighting his desire to win the tournament.

“It’s a great feeling every time you step on the field with the national team jersey. I cannot take it for granted. I want to win this competition. I would love to win it.”

Salah has played in four AFCON tournaments, reaching the finals in 2017 and 2021, but has yet to lift the trophy. Egypt remains the most successful nation in AFCON history, with seven titles, the most recent in 2010.

Egyptian Legend Elmohamady joins the debate

Former Egypt international Ahmed Elmohamady, a two-time AFCON winner, also fired back at Carragher, questioning his authority on major tournaments.

“Jamie Carragher doesn’t know what a major tournament is because he never won one. AFCON is a major tournament. So proud to have won it twice.”

With the 2025 AFCON set to take place in December, Egypt, Senegal, Morocco and Nigeria are among the top contenders to win the tournament. (BusinessDay)