Jamie Carragher has responded to backlash over his comments on the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), insisting he never intended to downplay the tournament’s importance.
Speaking after Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Manchester City, Carragher suggested Mohamed Salah’s Ballon d’Or chances were limited by Egypt’s lack of global success and AFCON’s lower recognition. His remarks drew criticism from African football legends, including Jay-Jay Okocha, Mikel Obi, Emmanuel Adebayor, and Ahmed Elmohamady.
Addressing the controversy, Carragher admitted his wording was “clumsy” and clarified that his comments were based on historical Ballon d’Or voting patterns rather than a personal opinion on AFCON.
“I would never want to be described as ignorant or disrespectful,” he stated. “I misspoke when I referred to AFCON as not a major tournament. I was trying to highlight how the award tends to favor players excelling in European competitions.”
The former Liverpool defender reiterated his respect for African football, acknowledging that AFCON deserves greater recognition on the global stage.
