Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick has fired back at ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher over his controversial comments about the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Carragher, now a Sky Sports pundit, sparked outrage when he downplayed AFCON’s significance while discussing Mohamed Salah’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or. The former England international claimed the tournament is not among football’s elite competitions—a statement that has drawn widespread criticism.

Speaking on SuperSport’s Soccer Africa, Pinnick dismissed Carragher’s remarks as shortsighted and reaffirmed AFCON’s growing global prestige.

“I think it is a very myopic opinion, and you can see the wave of backlash because AFCON is growing beyond what many imagined. He might be speaking subjectively, but the facts speak for themselves,” Pinnick stated.

The CAF Executive Council member also pointed to George Weah’s 1995 Ballon d’Or win, emphasizing that Liberia had not even qualified for AFCON that year, yet Weah’s brilliance for AC Milan secured him the award. He believes Salah’s outstanding performances this season—25 goals and 16 assists in the Premier League alone—make him a strong Ballon d’Or contender.

Pinnick further highlighted AFCON’s impact, revealing that the 2023 tournament in Ivory Coast saw a record $60 million in financial support from CAF, and he expects the upcoming 2025 edition in Morocco to be even bigger.

“African players cherish the AFCON trophy. It’s a symbol of pride and prestige, and the tournament’s significance cannot be questioned,” he added.

Meanwhile, Salah continues to strengthen his Ballon d’Or case with a dominant season. The Egyptian star has 182 Premier League goals—just two away from breaking into the league’s all-time top five scorers—while his seven Champions League goals helped Liverpool top their group.

Should Salah win the Ballon d’Or, it would be a monumental moment for African football, further cementing his legacy as one of the continent’s greatest players.