Jamie Carragher has drawn a blistering response from ex-Chelsea star John Obi Mikel for belittling the Africa Cup of Nations.
The pundit has faced backlash for suggesting Africa’s pre-eminent football tournament isn’t significant compared to the European Championship. Speaking about what it would take for Mohamed Salah to secure the Ballon d’Or on Sky Sports, Carragher said: “I think the problem is the fact he’s with Egypt.
“And he’s probably not playing in the major tournament as such, or maybe got a great chance of winning. I think it’s either the Champions League or the major tournament. Normally, the player who excels in that [who wins it].”
His claim was met with opposition from fellow pundits Micah Richards and Daniel Sturridge. Since then, a string of current and former professionals have criticised his apparent disregard for AFCON.
Among them is Mikel, who won AFCON with Nigeria in 2013 as well as the Champions League with the Blues in 2012. He didn’t mince his words when he addressed Carragher’s comments, highlighting Carragher’s own lack of major international titles with England and absence of a Premier League trophy with Liverpool on his Obi One Podcast.
He raged: “It’s so disrespectful what he said, and this is coming from someone who never won any major international competition with England. If you think that the Premier League would be what it is today with just the English players, you’re f***ing having a laugh.
(Image: Getty Images)
“His statement was so wrong. I hope he will come out and make a massive apology because he owes people around the world an apology. [It was] ignorant to disrespect such a wonderful tournament.”
Mikel appreciated Richards and Sturridge’s attempts to correct Carragher, who was again dismissive. He added: “The smirk on his face, the arrogant f***ing smirk on his face to dismiss… That smirk on his face is absolutely what tipped me off.
“You have people trying to correct you and you’re coming out and attacking absolutely everyone else, and discrediting this wonderful, wonderful tournament. I was lucky enough to win the Africa Cup of Nations. I know the blood and tears we shed.”
He challenged Carragher’s authority to comment on winning the Premier League or national team competitions, adding: “You never won it, you don’t know what it takes to win the f***ing Premier League, you don’t know what it takes to win with your national team.
(Image: The Obi One Podcast)
“You can’t discredit such a wonderful, wonderful tournament. People in Africa die for the Africa Cup of Nations. Children grow up watching their idols. It inspires them.
“I am f***ing angry, he spent so many years playing for Liverpool, he didn’t win the f***ing Premier League. He sits there week in, week out, telling and teaching people, trying to tell people how to win the Premier League. You haven’t won it!
“If you won the Euros with England I might understand that. You won f*** all with England. F*** all. And you try to discredit the tournament that I won, shed blood and tears for?”
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