Former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has hit back at Jamie Carragher, calling his comments about the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) “ignorant and disrespectful.”
Mikel John Obi fires back at Jamie Carragher over his AFCON comments. 😮 #AfroBallers #MikelJohnObi #JamieCarragher #AFCON pic.twitter.com/HgpMAiqDQN
— AfroBallers (@afroballers) February 27, 2025
Speaking on his podcast, Mikel Obi demanded that Carragher issue a “massive apology.”
Carragher had claimed that Mohamed Salah’s inability to win a “major tournament” placed the Egyptian forward at a disadvantage when it came to Ballon d’Or voting.
His dismissal of AFCON has not sat well with many, especially former players who have represented their countries in the continental tournament.
Mikel Obi, who played for Nigeria at the 2013 AFCON, said: “It’s so disrespectful what he said, and this is coming from someone who never won any major international competition with England.
“His statement was absolutely wrong. I hope he will come out and make a massive apology because he owes people around the world an apology.
“[It was] ignorant to disrespect such a wonderful tournament. If you think that the Premier League would be what it is today with just the English players, you’re fcking having a laugh, mate.”
