Former Nigerian international, John Mikel Obi has strongly criticized ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher for his recent remarks about the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Carragher suggested that Mohamed Salah’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or are diminished due to his participation in AFCON, implying it is less significant than tournaments like the UEFA European Championship or the FIFA World Cup.
In response, Mikel Obi expressed his disapproval during an episode of “The Obi One Podcast,” stating, “It’s so disrespectful what he said, and this is coming from someone who never won any major international competition with England.”
He emphasized the importance of AFCON, describing it as a “wonderful tournament” and called Carragher’s comments “disrespectful”. Mikel further highlighted the dedication and passion associated with AFCON, noting, “People in Africa die for the Africa Cup of Nations.”
He urged Carragher to issue a “massive apology” for his remarks, underscoring the tournament’s significance to African players and fans.
The controversy began when Carragher, during a discussion on Sky Sports, suggested that Salah’s international achievements with Egypt don’t carry the same weight as victories in the Champions League or World Cup.
This perspective has been met with widespread criticism from various football personalities, including Rio Ferdinand and Mido, who have defended AFCON’s prestige and importance.
Carragher has since responded to the backlash, clarifying that his intention was not to disrespect AFCON but to highlight perceived biases in Ballon d’Or considerations.
He acknowledged that referring to AFCON as a non-major tournament was “clumsy” but maintained that tournament prestige does influence award outcomes.
