Carragher’s Blunder: A Shameless Dismissal of AFCON’s Power and Legacy
In an era where pundits wield significant influence over public opinion, Jamie Carragher has just handed us one of the most ignorant statements in recent football punditry. During a Sky Sports debate about Mohamed Salah’s Ballon d’Or chances, Carragher thought it wise to dismiss the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as a “non-major tournament.” The sheer lack of awareness in his words is staggering—an outrageous misstep that exposed a profound ignorance of African football’s global significance.
This careless remark, made during a Sky Sports discussion about Mohamed Salah’s Ballon d’Or chances, missed the mark completely and invited a much-needed backlash. For a pundit of Carragher’s stature to disregard AFCON’s massive impact is, frankly, a disservice to African football—a blatant oversight of the competition’s history, importance, and the immense passion of millions of fans across the continent.
An Embarrassing Oversight of AFCON’s Global Prestige
What Carragher failed to grasp, in his usual rush to speak without thinking, is that AFCON is not just some minor competition to be brushed aside. It is, in fact, the heartbeat of African football, one of the oldest and most prestigious tournaments in the game. And yet, Carragher’s casual dismissal serves as yet another reminder of how African football continues to be undervalued and dismissed in the broader football narrative.
Let’s set the record straight: AFCON is not a “secondary” tournament in the football world. It is one of the oldest, most prestigious competitions in the sport, producing legendary players and unforgettable moments. To dismiss it so casually reflects a stunning lack of respect for Africa’s footballing heritage.
Salah—Africa’s brightest star—has proven his worth on the global stage with his remarkable performances in the Premier League, but Carragher’s myopic view of AFCON missed an essential point: AFCON is the heartbeat of African football. For a pundit to completely overlook this fact speaks volumes about how African football is often seen through a lens of underestimation.
Carragher’s comment that Salah’s chances for the Ballon d’Or were limited by Egypt’s lack of success in AFCON is a prime example of this shortsighted thinking. It’s as though Carragher has failed to notice AFCON’s impact—despite the fact that Egypt, with its seven AFCON titles, is the most decorated team in the competition’s history. Salah’s two second-place finishes (2017 and 2021) only underscore his consistent excellence within the tournament, despite never having won it.
Richards and Sturridge: A Much-Needed Intervention
Micah Richards, without hesitation, set the record straight, declaring, “AFCON is a major tournament, just so you know.” It was a quick and effective reminder that AFCON matters—a message many African football fans wish had been heard earlier.
Carragher, clearly uncomfortable with being called out, attempted to deflect, questioning whether Egypt could realistically challenge for the World Cup in 2026. Richards wasn’t having it, making it clear that no matter how Carragher framed the debate, AFCON remained one of the biggest tournaments in world football. Sturridge followed up with a blunt truth: “If you win the Euros or Copa America, it’s deemed to be big, so AFCON is in the same level.”
It’s this simple, yet profound truth that Carragher failed to grasp. In his attempt to trivialize AFCON, he was called out not by one, but two former football stars—and rightly so. This wasn’t just a harmless slip of the tongue; it was a glaring disrespect to a competition that has shaped the careers of many global footballing icons.
Carragher’s Disrespect for African Football: The Bigger Picture
What’s troubling here isn’t just Carragher’s lack of understanding—it’s the wider disregard for African football that such comments perpetuate. AFCON, like its counterparts in Europe and South America, is an essential part of the global football ecosystem. Yet, far too often, African football is brushed aside, underestimated, or outright ignored by mainstream pundits and outlets.
Carragher, in this instance, was merely the latest in a long line of people who’ve failed to acknowledge the immense talent that the African continent continually produces. Salah, along with countless other African players, has shown that AFCON should not just be respected, but celebrated as a major tournament in the world of football.
AFCON’s Legacy: Africa’s Football Pride
AFCON is not secondary, and it never has been. The tournament has consistently delivered world-class football, showcasing the best of African talent. From Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto’o to Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, AFCON has provided a stage for these players to shine. For Carragher to undermine such an institution in football is a misstep that cannot be overlooked, and African football fans should no longer remain silent in the face of such ignorance.
Conclusion: AFCON’s True Value Can’t Be Ignored
Carragher’s comments, though offensive, provide a valuable reminder of the work that still needs to be done to elevate African football on the global stage. AFCON deserves far more respect, not only for its history but for the passion it continues to inspire across the continent. In a year where Salah is aiming for his own personal glory with Liverpool and beyond, it’s essential that the legacy of AFCON is celebrated, not dismissed by those who should know better.
So, let this be the last time that AFCON is undermined—by Carragher or anyone else. It’s time to acknowledge Africa’s rightful place in the footballing world, and that starts with respecting the tournaments and players that make it all possible.