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Nigeria Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa<\/a> has joined the growing list of football figures condemning Jamie Carragher\u2019s claim that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) does not carry the same prestige as other international tournaments, Soccernet.ng<\/a> reports<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The Liverpool legend\u2019s comments sparked controversy after he suggested that even if Mohamed Salah won AFCON<\/a>, it would not significantly boost his chances of winning the Ballon d\u2019Or.<\/p>\n Speaking during a post-match discussion on Sky Sports, Carragher argued that Salah was enjoying a season comparable to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at their peak but faced a major obstacle in the Ballon d\u2019Or<\/a> race.<\/p>\n \u201cSalah is at a disadvantage playing for Egypt in terms of him winning the Ballon d\u2019Or,\u201d Carragher later clarified on X<\/a> (formerly Twitter).<\/p>\n \u201cIf Salah had an average season at LFC but won the AFCON and was [Player of the Tournament], I don\u2019t think he\u2019d win the Ballon d\u2019Or, because I don\u2019t think the AFCON carries the weight of other tournaments.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n AFCON is 1000000000% bigger than the EUROS!!!!! #africanfootball<\/a>#afconwithmicky<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/kX4zXL7wXG<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Micky Jnr (@MickyJnr__) February 24, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Get Our Sports News First \u2013 Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!<\/a><\/p>\n<\/h5>\n Carragher\u2019s remarks did not sit well with several African football stakeholders, who quickly called out what they perceived as a dismissive attitude toward the continent\u2019s premier competition.<\/p>\n One of the first to respond was former Egypt international Ahmed Elmohamady, who won AFCON twice during his career. He fired back at Carragher, questioning his authority on major tournaments.<\/p>\n \u201cJamie Carragher doesn\u2019t know what Major Tournaments is because he never won one. AFCON is A Major Tournament. So proud to won it twice,\u201d Elmohamady wrote on X<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Even Carragher\u2019s former England teammate, ex-Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand, disagreed with his take. Ferdinand pointed out the calibre of players who have competed in AFCON, reinforcing its significance.<\/p>\n \u201cAFCON needs more respect\u2026 \u270a It matters & federations need to do more to highlight this. Ask the likes of Mo Salah, Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure, Abedi Pele, Samuel Eto\u2019o what it means\u2026,\u201d Ferdinand wrote.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n AFCON needs more respect\u2026 \u270a Ask the likes of Mo Salah, Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure, Abedi Pele, Samuel Eto\u2019o what it means\u2026.#AFCON<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/w0NnYdMAqa<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u2014 Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) February 24, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Ahmed Musa, Nigeria\u2019s most-capped player and a key figure in the Super Eagles<\/a>\u2018 2013 AFCON triumph, has now weighed in. The 32-year-old former Leicester City winger posted a picture of himself holding the AFCON trophy on X, accompanied by a simple but powerful caption:<\/p>\n \u201cAFCON. Respect.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n #AFCON<\/a> Respect \u270a pic.twitter.com\/tqYoBKSxSa<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Ahmed Musa (MON) (OON) \ufe0f\ufe0f (@Ahmedmusa718) February 25, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n READ MORE<\/strong><\/p>\n Musa\u2019s statement aligns with a wider push to reinforce AFCON\u2019s global relevance, highlighting its historical significance and commercial success.<\/p>\n The biennial tournament, first held in 1957, has produced 34 editions and continues to grow in stature.<\/p>\n\n
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It matters & federations need to do more to highlight this.<\/p>\nSuper Eagles captain Musa adds his voice to the AFCON defence<\/h4>\n
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