Nigeria Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa has joined the growing list of football figures condemning Jamie Carragher’s claim that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) does not carry the same prestige as other international tournaments, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Liverpool legend’s comments sparked controversy after he suggested that even if Mohamed Salah won AFCON, it would not significantly boost his chances of winning the Ballon d’Or.
Speaking during a post-match discussion on Sky Sports, Carragher argued that Salah was enjoying a season comparable to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at their peak but faced a major obstacle in the Ballon d’Or race.
“Salah is at a disadvantage playing for Egypt in terms of him winning the Ballon d’Or,” Carragher later clarified on X (formerly Twitter).
“If Salah had an average season at LFC but won the AFCON and was [Player of the Tournament], I don’t think he’d win the Ballon d’Or, because I don’t think the AFCON carries the weight of other tournaments.”
Carragher’s remarks did not sit well with several African football stakeholders, who quickly called out what they perceived as a dismissive attitude toward the continent’s premier competition.
One of the first to respond was former Egypt international Ahmed Elmohamady, who won AFCON twice during his career. He fired back at Carragher, questioning his authority on major tournaments.
“Jamie Carragher doesn’t know what Major Tournaments is because he never won one. AFCON is A Major Tournament. So proud to won it twice,” Elmohamady wrote on X.
Even Carragher’s former England teammate, ex-Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand, disagreed with his take. Ferdinand pointed out the calibre of players who have competed in AFCON, reinforcing its significance.
“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 what it means…,” Ferdinand wrote.
Ahmed Musa, Nigeria’s most-capped player and a key figure in the Super Eagles’ 2013 AFCON triumph, has now weighed in. The 32-year-old posted a picture of himself holding the AFCON trophy on X, accompanied by a simple but powerful caption:
“AFCON. Respect.”
Musa’s statement aligns with a wider push to reinforce AFCON’s global relevance, highlighting its historical significance and commercial success.
The biennial tournament, first held in 1957, has produced 34 editions and continues to grow in stature.
The 2023 edition, hosted and won by Côte d’Ivoire, was the most successful yet, drawing 2.2 billion video views and broadcasting in 171 territories—including new markets like Brazil, Russia, India, and Italy.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) reported a 65% increase in sponsorship revenue, while ticketing revenue surged by an astonishing 800% compared to the 2021 edition.
With Morocco set to host the next AFCON later this year, expectations are even higher. The North African nation plans to utilise nine venues across six host cities, promising another landmark tournament.
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