Liverpool are taking on Paris Saint Germain in the Champions League next week as two of Europe’s most in form clubs go head to head.
The clash is set to be an epic affair, with PSG and the Reds suffering just one league defeat combined all season.
And ahead of the game, one of the Parisians old players has been laying into legendary former Liverpool centre-back Jamie Carragher.
Carragher upset a few people earlier this week while discussing whether Mohamed Salah would win the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
The pundit suggested that Salah has had less chance of winning in the past given that Egypt are unlikely to win a major tournament such as the World Cup.
With Carragher’s comments seen in some parts as being disrespectful towards the African Cup of Nations, former PSG and Bolton playmaker Jay-Jay Okocha has come out to deliver a brutal put-down of the Scouser.
Jay-Jay Okocha lays into Jamie Carragher
Carragher never feels to be too far away from controversy these days. It was not long ago that the 47-year-old was slated for suggesting that Salah was being ‘selfish’ while discussing his new contract.
This time, his comments have caused even more uproar, with the likes of Rio Ferdinand and former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel speaking out against him.
The latest to do so has been Okocha. A beautifully gifted and skilful player during his career, Okocha won AFCON with Nigeria in 1994.
And as filmed speaking at an event by podcast host Fuad Cadani, the former Bolton man hit back against Carragher.
READ MORE: Mohamed Salah told ‘the only reason’ he has not won the Ballon d’Or while playing for Liverpool
“There are some players that will say some things that if you look at their careers, at the type of football they played, then you can understand,” Okocha began.
“I mean, you wouldn’t want your son to play like Carragher! So, he can never appreciate African football or the talents that come from Africa.”
Can Salah win the Ballon d’Or?
If only the Ballon d’Or could simply be awarded to the player who performed the best during a season. That would be wonderful.
Instead, the award has turned into what all awards eventually become: a popularity contest.
Barcelona and, especially, Real Madrid players have tended to dominate the vote so much so that it no longer really feels especially relveant.
Even with Salah doing so well this season, it would not be a surprise to see Kylian Mbappe or Vinicius Jnr pip him having done less.
Ultimately, it would be amazing to see Salah crowned the best player in the world while doing it all with Liverpool. But if he is not, it will not take anything away from his achievements.
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