Jamie Carragher breaks silence with lengthy statement following controversial AFCON comments

Jamie Carragher has hit back at his claims his comments about Mo Salah and the Africa Cup of Nations were disrespectful by posting an explanation on X.

On Sky Sports' post-match coverage of Liverpool's 2-0 win over Manchester City, the panel were once again discussing Salah and his push to to win the Ballon d'Or after he bagged a goal and an assist.

Replying to Daniel Sturridge, Carragher 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 not got a great chance of winning, I think it's either the Champions League or the major tournament."

But Micah Richards got involved and said: "Just to say, AFCON [Africa Cup of Nations] is a major tournament. Because a lot of people are at home saying, 'They aren't taking it serious'. AFCON is a big tournament, just so you know."

Carragher replied by asking Richards if seven-time AFCON winners Egypt would be a contender to win the World Cup and the former Manchester City man tried to continue arguing his point.

But Carragher's remarks and facial expression were widely criticised and branded disrespectful by many, including former Sky presenter Richard Keys.

After reposting a comment from someone else on his page, Carragher broke his silence with a series of posts.

Carragher wrote: "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 Ballon d’Or.

"If Salah had an average season at LFC but won the AFCON & was MVP I don’t think he would win the Ballon d’Or.

"Because I don’t think AFCON carries the weight of other tournaments.

"But if Mbappe had an average season at Real Madrid but won the World Cup/Euros he would still have a great opportunity.

"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."

Mo Salah is one of the leading contenders for the Ballon d'Or. Image: Getty

Discussing the scoffing facial expression he pulled, Carragher added: "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 (crossing fingers emoji)."

Carragher responds to Ferdinand

Rio Ferdinand has also weighed in with his view and claimed what Carragher said was an "ignorant thought process".

Sharing a clip of his show, the former Manchester United defender took to Instagram and wrote: "AFCON needs more respect. It matters & federations need to do more to highlight this.

"Ask the likes of Mo Salah, Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure, Abedi Pele, Samuel Eto’o…."

But, not for the first time, Carragher took issue with Ferdinand's words and commented on his post, saying: "I didn't say that you clown.Stop playing to the gallery like you always do."

Salah has never won the AFCON, reaching both the 2017 and 2021 finals but in losing efforts.

The former Chelsea and Roma attacker is enjoying what many consider to be the best season of his career, with 30 goals and 21 assists.