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The Carragher & Africa Cup of Nations row explained

Mohamed Salah Getty Images

Mohamed Salah has lost two Afcon finals with Egypt

Sean Kearns
BBC Sport

Who would have thought a discussion on the brilliance of Mohamed Salah would spark a heated social-media row about the merits of the Africa Cup of Nations?

Well that's what happened when Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher suggested Afcon was not considered a "major tournament".

So what did Carragher say? Who else has spoken out? And is Afcon disrespected by a European-centric view of world football?

BBC Sport attempts to break down and explain the issues.

What did Carragher say?

Speaking after Liverpool's 2-0 Premier League win at Manchester City on Sunday, pundits in the Sky Sports studio were discussing Salah's performance and whether this season could be one of the "greatest" individual campaigns.

BBC Sport explored that discussion on Monday.

The debate then turned to whether Salah could be in line to win the Ballon d'Or - a prestigious annual award for the best player in the world.

The Ballon d'Or is voted for by 100 journalists from around the world, and was won last year by Manchester City midfielder Rodri.

Former Liverpool defender Carragher suggested Salah would have to win the Champions League in order to win the Ballon d'Or because Afcon is not recognised by voters as a "major tournament".

He added: "I think the problem is the fact he's with Egypt, and he's probably not playing in the major tournament as such, or maybe got a great chance of winning, I think it's either the Champions League or the major tournament. Normally, the player who excels in that."

Carragher's repeated use of the term "major tournament" irked fellow pundits Micah Richards and Daniel Sturridge.

Richards stressed Afcon was a "major tournament", saying: "A lot of people are at home saying 'They aren't taking it seriously.' Afcon is a big tournament."

Former Liverpool striker Sturridge said: "It's a fact. If you win the Euros or Copa America it's deemed to be big - so the Afcon is at the same level."

Carragher responded: "Egypt are not going to win the World Cup are they">