Raging Jamie Carragher has branded Rio Ferdinand a CLOWN after the Manchester United legend waded into the African Cup of Nations row.
Liverpool idol Carragher, 45, sparked controversy on Sky Sports at the weekend by appearing to downplay the significance of the tournament. Debating Mo Salah’s chances of winning a Ballon d’Or, Carragher said after the Reds’ 2-0 win at Man City: “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’s comments have triggered a widespread backlash from pundits and fans in the world of football alike. And Ferdinand became the latest high-profile figure to take aim at Carragher after former Sky presenter Richard Keys labelled the ex-defender “unforgivably ignorant”.
Speaking on his Rio Presents podcast, Ferdinand said: “I think that comment is representative of the majority 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’o, Riyad Mahrez, Mo Salah or Sadio Mane, they’ll tell you, ‘We have to win this’ – it’s a demand in their countries to win this.
“Yes, it doesn’t get backed resources-wise like the Euros, etc, but that doesn’t mean you have to devalue it. It’s a continent of huge power. A continent that contributes to European football through players massively. It should be respected more than it is. I understand what Jamie’s saying but I don’t agree with it. That’s the majority’s fault, if we’re honest, and it’s not right.
“I think the federations like FIFA need to make sure they implement a way of thinking and language around Afcon so it equals the Euros and the Copa America. Jamie is right in what he is saying because that is what happens. If Mo Salah won AFCON that would have no bearing on anyone when they vote for the Ballon d’Or, which is absolutely wrong.”
Now, Carragher has hit back at his former England teammate on social media. Replying to Ferdinand’s own post on Instagram post, he blasted: “I didn’t say that you clown. Stop playing to the gallery like you always do.”
In another rant posted on X, Carragher confessed his words were clumsy as he wrote: “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 [sic]. 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 [sic].
“Because I don’t think AFCON carries the weight of other tournaments. But if Mbappe had an average season at Real Madrid but won the World Cup/Euros he would still have a great opportunity. It’s not just about certain tournaments, Shevchenko (Ukraine) Lewandowski (Poland) were never going to win the WC/Euros to help their case for the prize. I don’t think it’s controversial at all really it’s just a fact.
“I know Mane came 2nd a few years back after winning the tournament but that alone wouldn’t have got him to that position, it was LFC being two games away from a quadruple that played a big role also. It’s not disrespectful if I feel the WC/Euros/CP are better tournaments it’s just my opinion when I watch them. Saying it wasn’t a major competition was clumsy but I think most people watching could understand the point I was trying to make.
“The face I pulled when Micah interjected was nothing to do with the merits of the tournament, I just knew as soon as he did what the reaction was going to be! I get a lot people didn’t like what I said & that’s fine. I don’t normally respond to things on here with posts like this but I decided to tweet in the end after seeing so many phoneys jumping on the bandwagon & playing to the gallery when they knew what I meant. Good luck MO you little dancer.”