Former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has fired back at Jamie Carragher over his controversial comments on the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), calling them “ignorant and disrespectful.”
Carragher, a former Liverpool defender and football pundit, recently suggested that competing in AFCON reduces a player’s chances of winning prestigious individual awards like the Ballon d’Or.
His remarks have sparked outrage, with many accusing him of downplaying the significance of Africa’s biggest football tournament.
Mikel Obi, who led Nigeria to AFCON glory in 2013, did not hold back in his response. Speaking on The Obi One Podcast, he said, “It’s so disrespectful.
“This is coming from someone who never won anything major with England. His statement is absolutely wrong, and he owes African football an apology.”
The former Chelsea midfielder also highlighted the crucial role African players play in world football.
“If you think the Premier League would be what it is today without African players, you’re having a laugh, mate,” he added.
Carragher’s comments have not only drawn criticism from Mikel but also from Rio Ferdinand and Ahmed Elmohamady, who have both slammed his remarks as dismissive of African football’s importance.
While Carragher later admitted that calling AFCON a non-major tournament was “clumsy,” he stood by his argument that playing in the competition impacts a player’s chances of individual recognition.
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