Mido’s response to Jamie Carragher’s AFCON comments highlights a long-standing issue of disrespect toward African football
AFCON is a historic, competitive tournament with world-class talent. African players have excelled globally, proving that the competition deserves recognition. Media bias against African football needs to change.
While Carragher may have underestimated AFCON’s significance, Mido’s passionate defense reminds the world that African football commands respect.
Jamie Carragher’s comments have sparked an important conversation about African football and its place in global awards voting.
While his remarks may have been misunderstood or poorly phrased, they highlight a real issue: the need for greater recognition of African achievements in the footballing world.
Mohamed Salah’s performances speak for themselves, and he deserves to be in the conversation for the Ballon d’Or.
However, unless the footballing community reevaluates how it values different international tournaments, players from Africa may continue to face an uphill battle for recognition.
Moving forward, it is crucial that football awards adopt a more inclusive approach that gives all players, regardless of their nationality, a fair shot at individual glory. Only then can the Ballon d’Or truly be considered a reflection of the world’s best player.
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Mido Hits Back at Jamie Carragher Over AFCON Comments
Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Mido has strongly criticized Jamie Carragher for his recent remarks about the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).1
The former Liverpool defender suggested that AFCON is not a major tournament, sparking a debate in the football community.
Mido, who was part of Egypt’s AFCON-winning squad in 2006, did not hold back in defending the tournament’s prestige and significance.
AFCON’s Rich Legacy and Competitive Nature
AFCON is one of the oldest and most prestigious international tournaments, having been established in 1957. The competition has showcased some of the greatest talents in football, including George Weah, Samuel Eto’o, Didier Drogba, Yaya Touré, Jay-Jay Okocha, and Mohamed Salah.
Despite facing logistical challenges and scheduling issues, AFCON remains highly competitive, with teams like Egypt, Nigeria, Cameroon, Algeria, and Senegal consistently producing world-class football.
Many top European clubs have reluctantly released players for AFCON, fearing that their absence might affect club performances. This is a testament to the quality and significance of the tournament.
Comparing AFCON to Other Major Tournaments
Carragher’s comments suggested that AFCON is not as significant as European or South American competitions. However, this undermines African football’s achievements.
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Copa América vs. AFCON
- Copa América, the South American championship, has had uneven participation, with some editions featuring invited teams from other continents.
- AFCON, on the other hand, has a structured qualification process and regularly sees tight competition between strong African nations.
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European Championship vs. AFCON
- The UEFA European Championship has a higher profile due to media coverage and commercial investments.
- However, AFCON boasts equal passion, skill, and unpredictability, with teams frequently overcoming economic and infrastructure challenges to perform at the highest level.
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FIFA World Cup Performances
- African nations like Senegal, Ghana, and Cameroon have outperformed expectations at the FIFA World Cup.
- Ghana’s quarter-final run in 2010 and Morocco’s historic semi-final finish in 2022 highlight the quality of African football.
Despite these achievements, African teams and tournaments are still undervalued by certain football analysts.
Jamie Carragher’s Controversial Comments on AFCON
Jamie Carragher made his remarks while discussing Mohamed Salah’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or this year.2
After Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Manchester City, Carragher analyzed why Salah might struggle to win the prestigious award.
He stated (via talkSPORT):
“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 [that wins it], the player who excels in that, like Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe right now.”
These comments implied that AFCON does not hold the same value as the UEFA European Championship, Copa América, or FIFA World Cup, leading to strong reactions from football fans and former players.
Salah/AFCON/Balon d’or!
The point I was trying to make yesterday was that MO Salah is at a disadvantage playing for Egypt in terms of him winning the Balon D’or.
If Salah had an average season at LFC but won the AFCON & was MVP I don’t think he would win the Balon d’or.— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) February 24, 2025
Mido Slams Carragher’s Disrespectful Remarks
Mido wasted no time in responding to Carragher’s statement, expressing disappointment over the lack of respect for African football. Speaking on talkSPORT, the Egyptian football icon defended AFCON’s history and importance.
“I really think that people don’t understand how strong and how competitive the competition is. The Africa Cup of Nations is a historical tournament. And it means a lot to the African people. And to get comments like this, I really think it shows a little bit of disrespect to all of us as Africans.”
Mido further questioned whether Carragher and other critics actually watch AFCON and understand its competitive nature.
“I don’t think the people who make these comments really watch the Africa Cup of Nations. Again, this is a historical tournament for us.”
Jamie Carragher: AFCON’s Impact on Global Football
The Africa Cup of Nations has played a significant role in shaping world football.3
Many of today’s biggest stars developed their skills in AFCON before making their mark in European leagues.
- Samuel Eto’o dominated AFCON before becoming a Barcelona and Inter Milan legend.
- Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané showcased their talents at AFCON before achieving greatness in the Premier League.
- Riyad Mahrez’s success with Algeria demonstrated AFCON’s ability to create champions.
Many of these players have won major European titles, proving that AFCON is not a second-tier competition.
Media Bias Against AFCON?
Mido’s frustration highlights a bigger issue: the bias in global football coverage.
- European football receives extensive media attention, whereas AFCON often faces negative stereotypes about organization and infrastructure.
- South American and European players are rated higher, even when African players achieve similar success.
- AFCON’s timing (January-February) leads to club vs. country debates, while other international tournaments rarely face the same scrutiny.
Football experts argue that AFCON deserves the same level of respect as other international competitions.
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Jamie Carragher‘s Explanation: Clarifying His Perspective
Following the backlash, Carragher took to Twitter to clarify his stance.
He explained:
“The point I was trying to make yesterday was that Mo Salah is at a disadvantage playing for Egypt in terms of winning the Ballon d’Or. If Salah had an average season at Liverpool but won the AFCON and was named MVP, I don’t think he would win the Ballon d’Or. But if Mbappe had an average season at Real Madrid but won the World Cup or Euros, he would still have a great chance.”
Carragher’s explanation highlights a key issue in international football: the perceived disparity in the importance of different continental tournaments.
While his comments may not have been intended as a slight against African football, they do raise important questions about how international success is valued in Ballon d’Or voting.
The Ballon d’Or and African Players: A History of Overlooked Talent
Carragher’s comments reignite a longstanding debate about the Ballon d’Or and African footballers. Historically, African players have struggled to win the prestigious award, despite producing some of the most talented footballers in history.
The only African player to have ever won the Ballon d’Or is George Weah, who claimed the honor in 1995.
Since then, numerous African stars, including Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto’o, and Mohamed Salah, have been overlooked despite their incredible performances at both club and international levels.
A major reason for this is the weight given to international tournaments. Players from Europe and South America often benefit from the exposure and prestige associated with the World Cup and the Euros, whereas AFCON does not always receive the same level of recognition.
Mohamed Salah’s Case for the Ballon d’Or
Salah has been one of the best players in the world over the past few years. His consistency for Liverpool, coupled with his leadership for Egypt, has made him a standout performer.
This season, Salah has recorded 30 goals and 21 assists from 38 games across all competitions, an incredible return that puts him in contention for major individual awards.
However, even with these numbers, he remains an outsider for the Ballon d’Or, largely due to the perception that other competitions carry more significance than AFCON.
If Salah were to win AFCON and be named the tournament’s best player, would that be enough to make him a frontrunner for the Ballon d’Or? According to Carragher, probably not—whereas a European player achieving a similar feat in the Euros or World Cup would likely be a favorite.
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Is There Bias Against African Football in Awards Voting?
- The discussion around Carragher’s comments also brings up the broader question of bias in awards voting.
- African football has consistently produced world-class talents, but its players often struggle to receive the same level of recognition as their European and South American counterparts.
- One argument is that European-based journalists, who make up a significant portion of Ballon d’Or voters, are naturally more inclined to favor players from Europe’s top leagues and competitions.
- This means that performances in AFCON might not be valued as highly as those in the Euros or Copa América.
- Another factor is media coverage. European tournaments receive extensive global coverage, whereas AFCON, despite being a highly competitive and prestigious tournament, does not always get the same level of attention.
- This lack of visibility may contribute to African players being overlooked for major individual honors.
- To address these concerns, there needs to be a shift in how international performances are evaluated in awards voting.
- AFCON should be considered just as prestigious as other continental tournaments, and African players should receive fair recognition for their achievements.
- FIFA and other football organizations should also work to promote AFCON more effectively, ensuring that it receives the global attention it deserves.
- By doing so, players like Salah, Sadio Mané, and other African stars can be given a fair chance in the Ballon d’Or race.
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