Former Liverpool player Jamie Carragher is being forced to bear the brunt of his shocking comment downplaying the importance of AFCON in football.

Following his unexpected comment about AFCON not being a major tournament that has received intense backlash on social media, former Liverpool player Jamie Carragher has seen his statement receive a direct reply from a winner of Africa’s biggest football tournament, Elmohamady and a Man United legend, Rio Ferdinand.

What did Jamie Carragher say about AFCON?

Jamie Carragher while assessing Mohamed Salah’s prospects of winning the Ballon d’Or this year stated that one factor that has hindered the Liverpool talisman from winning the award was because he is from Egypt and was not playing in a major international tournament that plays an active role in the decision-making process of the Ballon d’Or.

In the interview session with Sky Sports after Liverpool’s victory over Man City, Jamie stated, “I think the issue is that he represents Egypt and is perhaps not competing in a truly major tournament or one where he has a strong chance of winning.”

He went on to add, “I believe the key factors are either the Champions League or a major international competition. Typically, the standout player from those, like Vini Jr. or Kylian Mbappe, has the best chance especially with Real Madrid currently looking strong in their Champions League pursuit.”

What did other players say about Carragher’s shocking AFCON comment?

Former Man City player Micah Richards, addressed Jamie Carragher’s comment during the interview indicating that his attempt at downplaying AFCON as a major tournament was wrong in all ramifications.

Micah stated that regardless of what people were saying about the tournament as a whole, AFCON is in fact a big tournament.

He stated, “Just to say, AFCON is a major tournament because a lot of people are at home saying ‘they aren’t taking it seriously’. AFCON is a big tournament, just so you know.”

Micah Richards had not been the only one to directly call Carragher’s statement on the night out, former Liverpool and Chelsea forward, Daniel Sturridge also seconded the statement made by Micha emphasising that AFCON is a major tournament on the same level as COPA America and EUROS.

He stated, “It’s a fact. If you win the Euros or Copa America, it’s deemed to be big, so the AFCON is at the same level.”

Rio Ferdinand in his podcast session also addressed the statement made by Carra. He revealed that the comment made by Carra has represented majority of the people in the world of football adding that AFCON as a tournament deserves to be respected.

Former AFCON winner Elmohamady addressed the questionable statement heads on stating that Carra was in no place to determine what a major tournament is when he has not won one before.

In a post on his social media platform, he stated, “Jamie Carragher doesn’t know what Major Tournaments is because he never won one. AFCON is A Major Tournament. So proud to won it twice.”

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