Former captain of the senior national team of Nigeria John Obi Mikel has fired back at comments made by Jamie Carragher playing down the Africa Cup of Nations as a major tournament.
Former Liverpool defender Carragher suggested Salah would have to win the Champions League in order to win the Ballon d’Or because Afcon is not recognised by voters as a “major tournament”.
He added: “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 got a great chance of winning, I think it’s either the Champions League or the major tournament. Normally, the player who excels in that.”
Carragher’s repeated use of the term “major tournament” irked fellow pundits Micah Richards and Daniel Sturridge.
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Richards stressed Afcon was a “major tournament”, saying: “A lot of people are at home saying ‘They aren’t taking it seriously.’ Afcon is a big tournament.”
Former Liverpool striker Sturridge said: “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.”
Carragher responded: “Egypt are not going to win the World Cup are they?” And when Richards tried to explain, he cut him off and said “Oh God.”
Responding through his podcast The Obione show , Mikel who won the AFCON in 2013 with the Super Eagles in South Africa says Carragher doesn’t know what it takes to win with his national team.
“You don’t know what it takes to win with your national team. You can’t disrespect such a wonderful tournament like that. People in Africa die for the Africa Cup of Nations. Children, kids grow up watching their idols, watching their country, supporting their country because the Africa Cup of Nations is what inspires them to be the next generation.
The influx of African players in the Premier League, coming to Europe to play is because they grew up watching the Africa Cup of Nations. 2 billion people watch the AFCON”.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
