Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has refused to apologize for belittling the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Carragher belittled the tournament after Liverpool's 2-0 win against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League on Sunday.

During the match, Mohammed Salah delivered an assist and a goal, earning him praises from pundits around the world.

However, speaking as a pundit on Sky Sports, Carragher expressed the believe that Salah has to win a major tournament in the calibre of the World Cup or Champions League to be acknowledged for Ballon d'Or.

This was seen as an attack on the importance of the AFCON by fellow pundits on the show, Daniel Sturridge and Richard Micah.

His comment has since been heavily criticized on social media by Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand and others, forcing the former Liverpool man to issue a statement.

Carragher said, "Salah/AFCON/Balon d’or! The point I was trying to make yesterday was that MO Salah is at a disadvantage playing for Egypt in terms of him winning the Balon D’or.
If Salah had an average season at LFC but won the AFCON & was MVP I don’t think he would win the Balon d’or.

"Because I don’t think AFCON carries the weight of other tournaments.
But if Mbappe had an average season at Real Madrid but won the World Cup/Euros he would still have a great opportunity.

"It’s not just about certain tournaments, Shevchenko (Ukraine)
Lewandowski (Poland) were never going to win the WC/Euros to help their case for the prize.
I don’t think it’s controversial at all really it’s just a fact.

"I know Mane came 2nd a few years back after winning the tournament but that alone wouldn’t have got him to that position, it was LFC being two games away from a quadruple that played a big role also.

"It’s not disrespectful if I feel the WC/Euros/CP are better tournaments it’s just my opinion when I watch them. Saying it wasn’t a major competition was clumsy but I think most people watching could understand the point I was trying to make.

"The face I pulled when Micah interjected was nothing to do with the merits of the tournament, I just knew as soon as he did what the reaction was going to be! I get a lot people didn’t like what I said & that’s fine.

"I don’t normally respond to things on here with posts like this but
I decided to tweet in the end after seeing so many phoneys jumping on the bandwagon & playing to the gallery when they knew what I meant.
Good luck MO you little dancer."

ASA