Olaleye Idowu
Liverpool legend, Jamie Carragher, has called Rio Ferdinand a “clown” after the ex-Manchester United defender waded into the controversy over his Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, comments.
Carragher had dismissed AFCON a major tournament.
Speaking after Liverpool’s 2-0 win at Manchester City on Sunday, the 47-year-old felt that Mohamed Salah playing in AFCON counted against him, if he wanted to win the Ballon d’Or.
But Ferdinand, on the latest episode of his podcast, claimed that Carragher’s assessment represents the majority view and urged FIFA to help bring its prestige in line with the European Championship and Copa America.
Salah has never won the AFCON, finishing as runner-up twice in 2017 and 2021.
Ferdinand said: “I understand what Jamie’s saying but I don’t agree with it. That’s the majority’s fault and it’s not right. I think federations like FIFA need to make sure they implement language around AFCON so it equals the Euros and the Copa America.
“Jamie is right in what he is saying. If Salah won AFCON that would have no bearing on anyone when they vote for the Ballon d’Or, which is wrong.”
However, Carragher has hit back at Ferdinand over his take.
“I didn’t say that you clown.
“Stop playing to the gallery like you always do,” Carragher commented on the Instagram post.
