Mohamed Salah has spoken out to reveal how he really feels about the Africa Cup of Nations as Jamie Carragher’s controversial comments about the tournament caused outrage online.
Liverpool superstar Salah further cemented himself as the top contender for the 2025 Ballon d’Or on Sunday after claiming a goal and assist during the 2-0 win over recent rivals Manchester City.
Following the game, former Liverpool legend Carragher, who has been part of several spars with Salah this season, controversially suggested that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is not seen as a major tournament.
Carragher’s comments led to significant backlash online from both fans and his peers, and Salah has already made his feelings about the tournament clear.
Salah has represented Egypt in the AFCON across four tournaments, helping them reach two finals in 2017 and again in 2021, losing on both occasions to Cameroon and Senegal.
Egypt have won the bi-annual tournament on seven occasions, with the most recent being 2010, and Salah has admitted that lifting the trophy with his countrymen is still a top goal for his career.
Speaking about playing for Egypt at the AFCON in 2024, the Liverpool star confessed: “It’s a great feeling every time you step on the field with the national team jersey.
“It’s something I cannot take for granted. I am just happy to be there, happy to play in the tournament.
“I want to win this competition. I would love to win it.”
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is set to get underway in December and Egypt are currently viewed as tied second favourite to win the tournament alongside Algeria, with Morocco the favourites.
But after Liverpool’s win over Manchester City, Carragher claimed that Salah’s performances in the AFCON would likely not be considered by fans when considering whether Salah is the best player in the world.
“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 not got a great chance of winning.” Carragher claimed.
Despite this, the 32-year-old remains the heavy favourite to win the Ballon d’Or in October, thanks to his impressive performances for Liverpool this season.
