Former Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys has lambasted Jamie Carragher for his controversial remarks regarding Mohamed Salah’s international career and the significance of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The criticism comes in the wake of Salah’s stellar performance for Liverpool, where he continues to break records and dominate headlines in the Premier League.
Salah’s display against Manchester City on Sunday, where he scored and assisted in Liverpool’s 2-0 victory, has once again thrust him into the spotlight.
This performance marked the 11th time this season that Salah has both scored and assisted in a Premier League match, bringing his tally to an impressive 25 goals and 16 assists in just 27 appearances.
Such remarkable statistics have reignited discussions about Salah’s potential to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or.
During a post-match analysis on Sky Sports, Carragher, alongside fellow pundits Micah Richards, Daniel Sturridge, and Roy Keane, engaged in a debate about Salah’s Ballon d’Or prospects.
It was during this discussion that Carragher made the contentious statement, suggesting that Salah had never participated in a “major tournament” due to his representation of Egypt.
This comment, which appeared to dismiss the importance of AFCON, was immediately challenged by Richards and Sturridge, who emphasized AFCON’s significance in international football.
Richard Keys, now a pundit for beIN SPORTS, took to his blog to express his dismay at Carragher’s remarks.
Keys described Carragher’s comments as “unforgivable ignorance,” highlighting a broader issue of insularity among UK-based football analysts.
He criticized the perceived arrogance of pundits who dismiss international tournaments outside of Europe.
“Never mind the PL’s (Premier League) best ever – Mo Salah might just be Liverpool’s best ever – despite the fact he’s never played in a big tournament. Seriously. What ignorance. Unforgivable ignorance.
“Time and again down the years I’ve referenced the arrogance of so-called experts that live and work within the borders of the U.K. who think nothing beyond their territory matters.”
This incident has sparked a wider debate about the recognition of African football achievements on the global stage and the need for a more inclusive perspective in football commentary.
