Jamie Carragher has hit back at Rio Ferdinand after he was called a ‘ignorant’ over comments made about the African Cup of Nations on Sky Sports on Sunday.
The Liverpool legend appeared to downplay the importance of the competition, saying ‘Oh God’ when challenged by Daniel Sturridge and Micah Richards.
Carragher, discussing Mohamed Salah’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or following Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, said: 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, I think it’s either the Champions League or the major tournament [that influences who wins the Ballon d’Or].
“Normally, the player who excels in that, like Vini Jr and Mbappe right now, Real Madrid looking really good going for the Champions League.
Jamie Carragher has hit back at Rio Ferdinand after he was called a ‘ignorant’ over comments made about the African Cup of Nations on Sky Sports on Sunday
PA
“Liverpool will be in that conversation, but right now [Real] is certainly the front runner.”
Richards and Sturridge then interjected to defend AFCON.
Since then, Carragher has come under fire from fans and figures within the football world alike.
One former player to speak out was Ferdinand, who previously played alongside the 47-year-old for England.
The Manchester United legend, speaking on his Rio Presents podcast, said: “I think that comment is representative of the majority of the people out there.
“But I don’t think that’s right. It’s an ignorant thought process.
“If you go to Didier Drogba, Abedi Pele, Samuel Eto’o, Riyad Mahrez, Mo Salah or Sadio Mane, they’ll tell you, ‘We have to win this’ – it’s a demand in their countries to win this.
“Yes, it doesn’t get backed resources wise like the Euros etc, but that doesn’t mean you have to devalue it.
“It’s a continent of huge power. A continent that contributes to European football through players massively. It should be respected more than it is.
“I understand what Jamie’s saying but I don’t agree with it. That’s the majority’s fault, if we’re honest, and its not right.
Salah/AFCON/Balon d’or!
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 Balon D’or.
If Salah had an average season at LFC but won the AFCON & was MVP I don’t think he would win the Balon d’or.— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) February 24, 2025
“I think the federations like FIFA need to make sure they implement a way of thinking and language around Afcon so it equals the Euros and the Copa America.
“Jamie is right in what he is saying because that is what happens. If Mo Salah won Afcon that would have no bearing on anyone when they vote for the Ballon d’Or, which is absolutely wrong.”
Carragher has, however, now hit back.
Writing on Instagram, the former Liverpool star blasted Ferdinand and said he was ‘playing to the gallery’.
“I didn’t say that you clown. Stop playing to the gallery like you always do,” he stated.
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“I think the federations like FIFA need to make sure they implement a way of thinking and language around Afcon so it equals the Euros and the Copa America.
“Jamie is right in what he is saying because that is what happens. If Mo Salah won Afcon that would have no bearing on anyone when they vote for the Ballon d’Or, which is absolutely wrong.”
Carragher has, however, now hit back.
Writing on Instagram, the former Liverpool star blasted Ferdinand and said he was ‘playing to the gallery’.
“I didn’t say that you clown. Stop playing to the gallery like you always do,” he stated.
Jamie Carragher was discussing Mohamed Salah’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or when the Sky Sports controversy erupted
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“I know Mane came 2nd a few years back after winning the tournament but that alone wouldn’t have got him to that position, it was LFC being two games away from a quadruple that played a big role also.
“It’s not disrespectful if I feel the WC/Euros/CP are better tournaments it’s just my opinion when I watch them. Saying it wasn’t a major competition was clumsy but I think most people watching could understand the point I was trying to make.
“The face I pulled when Micah interjected was nothing to do with the merits of the tournament, I just knew as soon as he did what the reaction was going to be! I get a lot people didn’t like what I said & that’s fine.
“I don’t normally respond to things on here with posts like this but I decided to tweet in the end after seeing so many phoneys jumping on the bandwagon & playing to the gallery when they knew what I meant.
“Good luck MO you little dancer.”