“Salah is super iconic” – What ex-NFF boss Pinnick told Carragher over his AFCON jibe

Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick has hit out at Jamie Carragher, labelling the ex-England defender’s remarks about the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as ‘myopic’, Footynaija.com reports.

Carragher courted controversy by downplaying AFCON’s significance while discussing Mohamed Salah’s Ballon d’Or chances.

The Liverpool legend claimed the tournament was not among football’s major competitions — a statement that has been widely condemned.

Is Mo Salah the best player we have seen in the Premier League? pic.twitter.com/FhlRyZbMIM

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 27, 2025

It is an awkward point of view that has attracted criticisms from some of the continent’s finest football stakeholders including Austin Okocha, John Mikel Obi, Elmohamady, and others.

The latest personality to knock Carragher’s disparaging remarks is Executive Committee member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Pinnick.

Pinnick has dismissed Carragher’s comments, insisting the tournament’s rising global reputation speaks for itself.

“I think it is a very myopic opinion, and you can see the wave of attack because the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is growing beyond the imagination of so many people, and he might be talking subjectively,” Pinnick said on SuperSport’s Soccer Africa, as per Ghana Web.

The former NFF boss pointed to George Weah’s Ballon d’Or triumph in 1995 — still Africa’s only winner — as proof that the continent’s players can thrive on the world stage.

“When George Weah in 1995 won the Ballon d’Or, Liberia were nowhere close to the AFCON. He won the award due to his performance when he was with AC Milan, and you look at what Mohamed Salah has done this season. That is super iconic.”

Pinnick also praised CAF’s efforts in elevating the tournament, revealing that $60 million was injected into the recent edition in Ivory Coast — a record figure that will likely be surpassed when Morocco hosts the 2025 edition.

“African players know how important it is to win the Africa Cup of Nations, and the medal and trophy alone is something every player will cherish.”

Mo Salah is on track to break some serious Premier League records this season pic.twitter.com/7tp808v0Ea

— 433 (@433) February 28, 2025

Salah’s prolific form this season has bolstered his Ballon d’Or credentials. The Egyptian forward has registered 25 goals and 16 assists in the Premier League, closing in on the league’s top five all-time scorers with 182 goals.

His seven Champions League goals helped Liverpool top their group, making him Europe’s leading contributor with 51 goal involvements across the continent’s top five leagues.

Reigning Ballon d’Or winner Manchester City’s Rodri has been out injured for several months but Real Madrid’s duo of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior could be Salah’s biggest obstacle to claiming the award.