Egypt former skipper and four-time AFCON winner Ahmed Hassan has strongly responded to what was said by Jamie Carragher regarding the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Following Liverpool’s 2-0 Premier League victory over Manchester City on Sunday, Carragher suggested Mohamed Salah would need to win the Champions League in order to get the Ballon d’Or, with the suggestion being that AFCON is not a “major tournament.”
“I think the problem is that he’s with Egypt, and he won’t be playing in the big tournament as such, or maybe got a big opportunity of winning it. I think it’s either the Champions League or the big tournament. Generally, the player who does it there,” Carragher said.
His comments have drawn widespread condemnation from African football legends, fans, media, and officials, with many describing them as contemptuous of the continent’s premier football competition.
Hassan, a football legend in Africa, was left thoroughly disappointed by Carragher’s comments, describing them as ignorant and disrespectful.
In a statement, Hassan stressed the significance of AFCON, emphasizing Africa’s rich football heritage and its unquestionable contribution to the game at large.
He noted that there are 54 countries in Africa, with a population and size greater than that of Europe, and that AFCON is watched by billions of people around the world.
He also stressed African input into the sport of European football, pointing out that most of the world’s leading leagues are filled with African footballers, including them featuring pivotal roles in major national teams like France and England.
Shelving any notion aside that AFCON is some small tournament, Hassan reiterated the honor and prestige of the championship, insisting that it remains one of the world’s largest-decorated competitions in global football.
In response to Carragher’s words about Salah, Hassan came to the defense of African players in the past having been excluded from significant individual honors such as the Ballon d’Or on the basis of inherent biases.
Nevertheless, he was still convinced that Salah was going to claim the award and bring pride to Africa.
In summary, Hassan asserted that Carragher’s opinions do not count for Africans and made it clear that AFCON will still be a world-class and highly regarded tournament.
Below is the full statement:
