Mohamed Salah has shared his true feelings about the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after Jamie Carragher’s controversial remarks about the tournament sparked backlash online.
The Liverpool star strengthened his case for the 2025 Ballon d’Or on Sunday by scoring and assisting in his team’s 2-0 victory over Manchester City.
Following the match, former Liverpool defender Carragher, who has had several debates involving Salah this season, stirred controversy by suggesting that AFCON is not widely regarded as a major competition. His comments triggered strong reactions from both fans and fellow pundits, though Salah has long been vocal about his respect for the tournament.
Salah has represented Egypt in four AFCON editions, reaching the finals twice—in 2017 and 2021—only to fall short against Cameroon and Senegal. Egypt, a seven-time AFCON champion, last won the tournament in 2010, and Salah has made it clear that winning the trophy remains one of his biggest career ambitions.
Reflecting on his experience playing in the 2024 AFCON, Salah expressed his pride in representing Egypt. “It’s always an incredible feeling to wear the national team jersey,” he said. “It’s something I never take for granted. I’m just happy to be there and to compete. Winning this tournament is something I truly want.”
The 2025 AFCON is scheduled for December, with Egypt currently considered joint second-favorites alongside Algeria, while Morocco leads the odds.
Despite Liverpool’s recent win over Manchester City, Carragher argued that Salah’s AFCON performances might not weigh heavily in the debate over whether he is the world’s best player. “I think the issue is that, being with Egypt, he’s not playing in what’s seen as a major tournament, or he may not have a strong chance of winning it,” Carragher claimed.
Regardless, the 32-year-old remains the frontrunner for the Ballon d’Or in October, thanks to his outstanding form for Liverpool this season.
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