Emmanuel Adebayor has strongly criticized former England and Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher for his comments dismissing the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as not being a major tournament.
Speaking exclusively to AfricaSoccer.com, the former Togo international expressed his disappointment, calling Carragher’s remarks disrespectful to African football and its people.
“These comments by Jamie Carragher are total disrespect not only to the Africa Cup of Nations but also to all the people of Africa and people of African descent,” Adebayor told AfricaSoccer.com exclusively.
Carragher’s Controversial Remarks
Carragher made his comments during a Sky Sports debate on what Mohamed Salah needs to do to win the Ballon d’Or. He suggested that Salah’s participation in AFCON, rather than the European Championship or World Cup, reduced his chances of winning football’s most prestigious individual prize.
His remarks immediately drew backlash, with fellow pundits Micah Richards and Daniel Sturridge challenging him on live television. However, criticism quickly escalated across the football world, with former players and fans condemning his statement.
Adebayor: AFCON Has Global Impact
Adebayor highlighted the massive global audience that AFCON attracts, questioning how a tournament followed by nearly two billion people in over 170 countries could be dismissed.
“How can you say that a tournament, watched globally by nearly two billion people worldwide in more than 170 countries, is not a major tournament?” he asked.
The former Arsenal, Manchester City, and Real Madrid striker also pointed out the wider pattern of disrespect towards African football, emphasizing that AFCON remains one of the most competitive and unpredictable tournaments in world football.
“This shows the level of disrespect that some people have towards not only the AFCON but also towards everything that comes from Africa,” Adebayor added.
African Stars Elevating World Football
The former African Footballer of the Year also questioned why African players are celebrated for their roles in top European leagues but not when they play for their national teams at AFCON.
“Today the best players in the top leagues of the world are all Africans – in the EPL there is Salah, Mbeumo, Marmoush, Jackson, Partey, Kudus, Iwobi and many others.
“In Germany, it is Guirassy and Amoura; in France, it is Hakimi, Guessand and Traore; in Spain, Inaki and Brahim Diaz; in Italy, it is Lookman and Boulaye Dia; in Turkey, Osimhen.”
Adebayor insisted that if these African stars are pivotal to top European leagues, then their presence in AFCON makes it a major tournament by default.
“If all of these players that help to make some of the top leagues in the world top, how is it that when they come to Africa suddenly it doesn’t make the African tournament major?”
Familiar Disrespect Towards AFCON
Adebayor was not surprised by Carragher’s remarks, stating that such attitudes resurface every time AFCON takes place. He highlighted how European clubs frequently resist releasing African players for the competition, undermining its credibility.
“It is not surprising as you hear such ignorant noise coming from such people is also heard when it is time to play the AFCON.
“You hear such ugly noise about not releasing African players to play in the tournament, and it is all part of the strategy to reduce the impact and power of the AFCON.”
Standing Up for AFCON’s Legacy
Adebayor, who played in multiple AFCON tournaments for Togo, insists that those who have played in the competition understand its significance. He dismissed Carragher’s credibility to speak on the tournament, arguing that the former Liverpool defender does not have the pedigree to undermine AFCON’s status.
“If we are to take criticism, we must take criticism from people who have seen it all, and Carragher is not one of such people to lecture us about the status of the AFCON.
“I played against some of the best defenders in the world in the EPL, and I am sorry but Carragher is not one of them.”
Continued Backlash Against Carragher
Adebayor joins a growing list of football figures condemning Carragher’s remarks. John Obi Mikel previously launched a furious response, pointing out that Carragher never won an international tournament with England nor a Premier League title with Liverpool.
Mikel argued that Carragher has no authority to belittle AFCON, a tournament that has inspired generations of African footballers.
While Carragher later clarified his comments, stating he was referring to how the Ballon d’Or voting favors European tournaments, the backlash against his dismissive tone continues.
A Legacy Worth Defending
As African football continues to thrive globally, Adebayor’s passionate defense of AFCON highlights the deep sense of pride and significance attached to the tournament. With African stars dominating elite football, the narrative around AFCON is shifting, and dismissive comments like Carragher’s are increasingly being called out.
For Adebayor and many others, AFCON is not just a tournament—it is a symbol of African excellence, passion, and footballing culture.
