Egyptian Legend Takes Aim at former Liverpool Defender for Belittling AFCON

TIYANI WA KA MABASA|February 26, 2025

DISAPPOINTED: Egyptian football legend Ahmed Hassan has expressed profound disappointment in Jamie Carragher for his remarks suggesting that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is not a major tournament. Photo: Facebook

The fourth most capped international male footballer in history, Egypt’s Ahmed Hassan, has expressed great disappointment in Jamie Carragher, who has said the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is not a major tournament.

Englishman Carragher has come under fire after making what has been termed “ignorant” comments regarding the AFCON.

Carragher sparked controversy when trying to explain why Liverpool forward Mohammed Salah, who’s from Egypt, is unlikely to win the Ballon d’Or, because he plays for Egypt in international football.

To this day, George Weah of Liberia remains the only African footballer to have won the Ballon d’Or, which is in recognition of the world’s best player. Weah achieved the feat in 1995.

“I think the problem is the fact that he’s with Egypt, and he’s probably not playing in the major tournament as such or maybe got a great chance of winning,” Carragher said on Sky Sports. “I think it’s either the (UEFA) Champions League or the major tournament (that wins the Ballon d’Or).”

UNDER FIRE: Englishman Jamie Carragher has faced heavy criticism after suggesting that Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah is unlikely to win the Ballon d’Or because he plays for Egypt in international football. Photo: Sky Sports

Hassan, who’s a four-time AFCON winner with Egypt, is “astonished” and “disappointed” in Carragher.

“I am astonished and deeply disappointed by the statements made by Jamie Carragher, in which he downplayed the AFCON. I believe his remarks are racist and should never have come from a footballer,” stated Hassan, who made 184 appearances for the Pharaohs, Egypt’s senior national team.

“… I emphasize my message to Carragher: your statements are of no importance to us, and AFCON will always be a top competition globally that attracts billions of audiences from around the globe.”

Former England international Rio Ferdinand was also critical of Carragher.

“If you go to Didier Drogba, (Samuel) Eto’o, (Riyad) Mahrez, and Salah now, they’ll say, ‘We have to win this (AFCON).’ Yes, it doesn’t get backed like the Euros investment-wise, but that doesn’t mean you have to devalue it,” reacted Ferdinand on his YouTube channel.

“(Africa is) a continent of huge power that contributes to European football massively. It should be respected more than it is. I understand what Jamie’s saying, but I don’t agree with it; that’s a majority view, and it’s not right.”