The “Major Tournament” Debate
Following Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Manchester City, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher sparked a global debate by suggesting that Mohamed Salah’s participation in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) might hinder his Ballon d’Or chances because it isn’t viewed as a “major tournament” in the same vein as the Euros or the Champions League.
The backlash was swift, with players and journalists alike branding the comments as disrespectful and ignorant. Is AFCON being unfairly devalued by Western media, or was Carragher simply stating a harsh reality of the current voting system?
1. “It IS a Major Tournament”: The Rebuttal
Former Egypt international Mido and journalist Henry Winter were quick to challenge Carragher’s stance.
- Historical Weight: Mido emphasized that AFCON is a “historical tournament” that means everything to African people, noting that in Egypt, “there is no one in the street” when the national team plays.
- Equality in Status: Henry Winter rubbished the idea that AFCON isn’t a major event, stating, “They’ve got absolutely every right to go and represent their country in major tournaments just as English players have to go to European championships”.
2. Rio Ferdinand vs. Jamie Carragher: The “Clown” Row
The controversy moved to social media when Rio Ferdinand weighed in on his podcast, calling Carragher’s thought process “ignorant”.
- The Resource Argument: Ferdinand acknowledged that while AFCON may lack the financial resources of the Euros, it doesn’t mean it should be devalued. He argued that legends like Drogba, Eto’o, and Mane view winning AFCON as the pinnacle of their careers.
- The Clash: Carragher didn’t take the criticism lying down, reportedly calling Ferdinand a “clown” and accusing him of “playing to the gallery”.
3. The Salah Factor: Ballon d’Or or Bust?
At the heart of the debate is Mohamed Salah, who is currently having one of the best individual seasons in Premier League history.
- Statistical Dominance: Salah currently has 41 goals and assists this season, putting him on track to break the all-time record of 47 held by Alan Shearer and Andy Cole.
- The Voting Bias: Ferdinand and Carragher both agreed on one point: currently, AFCON success has almost “no bearing” on Ballon d’Or voting, which they both labeled as fundamentally “wrong”.
4. Liverpool’s “Bonkers” Contract Situation
Beyond the international stage, Henry Winter expressed shock at the possibility of Liverpool letting Salah leave as his contract winds down.
- Fitness at 32: Winter noted that Salah has the “body of a 25 or 26-year-old” and remains a flawless role model for younger players.
- The Verdict: Winter urged Liverpool fans to “write letters” to the owners, calling it “bonkers” to let a player in such elite form walk away for free.
A Need for Language Change
The “AFCON Rant” serves as a reminder of the shift needed in footballing discourse. As Rio Ferdinand pointed out, organizations like FIFA and global broadcasters must implement a “language around the African nations” that equals the Euros and Copa América. Until the footballing world treats these trophies with equal weight, the “Mickey Mouse” narrative will unfortunately persist.
Watch the full debate and Henry Winter’s analysis here:
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