'There’s no better defender to come from Africa than Jamie Carragher' - Joey Barton

Joey Barton has defended Jamie Carragher following backlash over Carragher’s comments on AFCON, where he suggested it is not a major tournament.

In response to critics, Barton claimed Africa has never produced a defender better than Carragher, dismissing comparisons to Kolo Touré.

His remarks sparked debate, with many citing top African defenders like Kalidou Koulibaly, Lucas Radebe, and Wael Gomaa, who was instrumental in Egypt’s AFCON successes.

The controversy began when Carragher suggested Mohamed Salah’s Ballon d’Or chances could be affected by playing in AFCON rather than the Euros or Copa América.

Critics argue AFCON is a prestigious tournament and deserves respect. Barton’s comments have intensified the debate on African football’s global recognition and the achievements of African players.