Jamie Carragher has hit out at Rio Ferdinand after the former Manchester United defender became the latest to aim criticism at the Liverpool legend for his comments on the Africa Cup of Nations.
Carragher has faced criticism after he appeared to play down the significance of the tournament while discussing Mohamed Salah’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or. The Liverpool talisman is the current favorite for the award, having added yet another goal and assist to his remarkable tally this season in the Reds’ 2-0 win over Manchester City on Sunday.
This year would appear to be Salah’s best chance of winning the Ballon d’Or, with two fifth-place finishes the closest the Egyptian has come in the past. Assessing his chances on Sky Sports, Carragher suggested the 32-year-old’s international allegiance may have held him back.
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"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 influences who wins the Ballon d'Or],” Carragher said on Sky Sports.
"Normally, the player who excels in that, like Vini Jr and (Kylian) Mbappe right now, Real Madrid looking really good going for the Champions League. Liverpool will be in that conversation, but right now (Madrid) is certainly the front runner."
Those comments were immediately challenged by fellow pundits Micah Richards and Daniel Sturridge, and Carragher has received further backlash from former Aston Villa and Egypt star Ahmed Elmohamady, while controversial host Richard Keys branded his opinion as “unforgivable ignorance”.
Now, former United defender Ferdinand has joined in the pile-on. Speaking on the latest episode of his podcast, he said: “I think [what he said] is representative of most of the people out there.
“But I don't think that's right. It's an ignorant thought process.
“If you go to Didier Drogba, Abedi Pele, Samuel Eto, Riyad Mahrez, Mo Salah or Sadio Mane, they'll tell you ‘we have to win this’ - there's demand in their country to win this.
“Yes, it doesn't get backed resources wise like the Euros but that doesn't mean you have to devalue it. It should be respected more than it is.”
Ferdinand added: “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 the 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 absolutely wrong.”
Carragher has since responded to his former England teammate. Replying to a post on Ferdinand’s Instagram account which included a clip from his podcast, the former Liverpool defender said: “I didn’t say that you clown, stop playing to the gallery like you always do.”
With 30 goals and 21 assists from just 38 appearances in all competitions this season, Salah looks to be the overwhelming favorite for this year’s Ballon d’Or at the moment. With Liverpool on course to win the Premier League and no international tournaments this summer, a Champions League triumph may well cement the biggest individual price in soccer for him.
