Manchester United legend, Rio Ferdinand has hit out at Liverpool legend, Jamie Carragher over his recent comments about the Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, tournament.
Carragher had dismissed the AFCON as a major tournament.
The former defender argued this following the Liverpool’s Premier League 2-0 win at Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday.
Egyptian captain Mohamed Salah, continued his stunning form this season with a goal and an assist for Dominik Szobozslai against City at the Etihad.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher suggested that Salah’s nationality and Egypt’s lack of success in the World Cup could hinder the winger’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or this year.
Carragher said: “I think the problem [is] the fact he is with Egypt, and he i probably not playing in the major tournament [AFCON] as such or maybe got a great chance of winning,”
However, Ferdinand was not pleased with Carragher’s comment.
In the latest episode of Rio Ferdinand Presents, Ferdinand branded his former England team-mate ‘ignorant’.
“I think that comment is representative of the majority of people out there. I don’t think that’s right,” Ferdinand said.
“I think that is an ignorant thought process because if you go to Didier Drogba, Abedi Pele, Samuel Eto’o and down to the players now like Riyad Mahrez, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane now, they will 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 a Euros etcetera, but that doesn’t mean that you have to devalue it.
“It’s continent of huge power and a continent that contributes to European football through players immensely, massively.”
