Nigerian football star Jay-Jay Okocha has spoken out about the ongoing debate surrounding Jamie Carragher, who has been criticized for his comments about the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Carragher came under fire for suggesting that AFCON is not a major tournament while discussing Mohamed Salah’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or this year.

During a Sky Sports discussion after Liverpool’s 2-0 win against Manchester City, Carragher claimed that Salah’s nationality and Egypt’s international record could hurt his chances of winning football’s biggest individual award.

“I think the issue is that he plays for Egypt, and they might not be competing in a major tournament or have a real chance of winning,” Carragher said.

He explained that top football awards usually go to players who perform well in the Champions League or major international competitions, using Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe as examples.

His statement immediately sparked criticism, with former Manchester City defender Micah Richards stepping in to correct him.

“Just to be clear, AFCON is a major tournament. Many people watching at home might think it’s not taken seriously, but it’s an important competition,” Richards responded.

Okocha, a former PSG and Bolton star, has now shared his thoughts on the controversy, taking a swipe at Carragher.

“Some players say things you just ignore,” Okocha said. “When you look at their careers and the way they played, you understand why they think like that.”

“I mean, you wouldn’t want your son to play football like Carragher. If you have that mindset, you’ll never truly value African football or appreciate the incredible talent coming from the continent,” he added.