Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net
Jamie Carragher is facing plenty of criticism after seemingly playing down the significance of the Africa Cup of Nations, with Richard Keys the latest to pile in on the former Liverpool defender.
Carragher made the comments while discussing Mohamed Salah’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or.
"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.
Mohamed Salah is the favorite to win this year's Ballon d'Or.
Now, beIN SPORTS host Keys, who’s never shy of expressing his opinions, has joined in on the backlash, slamming Carragher for his comments on his blog.
“Never mind the PL’s (Premier League) best ever – Mo Salah might just be Liverpool’s best ever – despite the fact he’s never played in a big tournament
Yes, AFCON is a major tournament, but the Ballon d’Or is unfairly weighted toward European and South American players
After all, only one African player made the top 30 in the 2024 awards, despite the fact that AFCON was played last year.
With no international tournaments this season, nothing should stand in the way of Salah winning the Ballon d’Or this year, although knowing how those awards work, Liverpool will likely have to win the Champions League in order for him to do so.