By Kwame Bediako
Former Manchester City and Rangers midfielder Joey Barton has jumped to the defence of former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, who has faced backlash for his recent comments regarding the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Carragher, a respected figure in football, had suggested that AFCON is not a ‘major tournament,’ igniting a firestorm of criticism from fans and former African football stars.
Barton, speaking on the situation, stated that Africa has never produced a defender as good as Carragher. He challenged anyone who disagreed to name a better African defender, dismissing comparisons to players like Kolo Touré.
“There’s no better defender come from Africa than Jamie Carragher. Africa has never produced a better defender than Jamie Carragher. Name me a better defender; can anybody name me a better African defender? Kolo Toure is not better than Carragher. If I said to you, can have one in your team, bear in mind Carragher played at right-back,” Barton remarked.
The controversy surrounding Carragher began when he commented on Mohamed Salah’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or, suggesting that Salah’s participation in AFCON could negatively impact his prospects compared to players in tournaments like the European Championship or Copa América. This statement was perceived as undermining the importance of AFCON, which has produced some of the finest talents in football.
As the debate rolls on, many fans and pundits have pointed out the achievements of notable African defenders, such as Kalidou Koulibaly, Lucas Radebe, and Wael Gomaa. Wael Gomaa, in particular, has been celebrated for his pivotal role in Egypt’s consecutive AFCON victories and is often regarded as one of the continent’s finest defenders.
While some continue to support Carragher’s viewpoint, others argue that AFCON deserves the same respect as other major international tournaments, emphasising the need for a broader understanding of football’s global landscape.
