John Obi Mikel Criticizes Jamie Carragher Over AFCON Comments

Former Nigerian footballer John Mikel Obi has strongly criticized Jamie Carragher for belittling the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), labeling his remarks as disrespectful and ignorant. During discussions on Sky Sports, Carragher suggested that the AFCON lacks significance compared to other major tournaments, which incited backlash from Mikel, who equated the AFCON's importance to that of the UEFA Champions League. Mikel, speaking on his podcast, expressed his anger and highlighted Carragher's lack of major international success, stating he owes an apology for his dismissive comments. He emphasized the cultural and emotional significance of AFCON for many, asserting that players strive hard for such accolades. The controversy has drawn support for Mikel from other former players who share his perspective on the tournament's importance. Carragher's comments were made in the context of Liverpool's Mohamed Salah's chances for the Ballon d'Or, further fueling the debate around the value of international tournaments.