The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has strongly responded to Jamie Carragher’s recent comments about the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), defending the tournament as a prestigious event after the Liverpool legend downplayed its significance.
Carragher’s remarks were made during a Sky Sports segment following Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Manchester City, where he discussed Mohamed Salah’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or.
Carragher suggested that Salah’s Egyptian nationality and Egypt’s performance in international tournaments could hinder his Ballon d’Or bid.
“I think the problem [is] the fact he’s with Egypt, and he’s probably not playing in the major tournament as such,” Carragher said.
“Normally, the player who excels in the Champions League or a major international tournament stands a better chance of winning.”
His comments quickly stirred controversy, with many football figures and fans expressing their disagreement.
Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards was quick to point out that AFCON is indeed a major tournament, rebuffing Carragher’s dismissive tone.
“Just to say, AFCON is a major tournament. A lot of people are at home saying ‘they aren’t taking it seriously,’ but AFCON is a big tournament,” Richards asserted.
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Carragher, however, stood by his position, suggesting Egypt’s chances in the World Cup were limited, and implying that only the world’s largest international competitions, like the European Championship or Copa América, are relevant in the Ballon d’Or race.
Former Liverpool player Daniel Sturridge, however, disagreed with Carragher, arguing that AFCON holds the same weight as these tournaments.
CAF wasted no time in defending the tournament’s reputation, sharing a bold message on social media, accompanied by images of the tournament’s history and achievements.
“Major Tournament. That’s the tweet,” CAF posted, reinforcing the value and importance of AFCON in the global football landscape.
Major Tournament. 🔥
That’s the tweet. #TotalEnergiesAFCON pic.twitter.com/oAU1kc7IVL
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) February 24, 2025
