Jamie Carragher labelled Rio Ferdinand 'a clown' after the former defender hit out at the pundit's Africa Cup of Nation's claims.

The ex-Red Devil star suggested his rival had made an ignorant remark when he claimed success in AFCON could not help to Ballon d'Or success. Salah is under at and has already recorded 42 goal contributions as the Reds look for domestic and European success.

Momentum is gathering over the Egyptian possibly being named the world's best, with Carragher controversially suggesting that earlier.

Ferdinand acknowledged that many would agree with Carragher's comments. "I think that comment is representative of the majority of people out there. I don’t think that’s right," he said.

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"I think that’s an ignorant thought process because if you go to Didier Drogba, Abedi Pele, Samuel Eto’o and down to the players now like , Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane now, they will tell you: “We have to win this!”

"It’s a demand in their countries to win this. Yes, it doesn’t get backed resources-wise like a Euros etc, but that doesn’t mean that you have to devalue it. It’s continent of huge power and a continent that contributes to European football through players immensely, massively."

That prompted a stern remark from Carragher in reply on social media. "I didn’t say that you clown, stop playing to the gallery like you always do," he said.

Carragher had previously been pulled up on Sky Sports by Micah Richards. "I’ll just say, AFCON is a major tournament. A lot of people at home will say they’re taking that seriously. AFCON is a major tournament, just so you know," the ex-Manchester City star chimed in.

But his colleague responded: "Egypt are not going to win the World Cup are they?" Richards replied: "No, but AFCON is big. Remember when him and [Sadio] Mane was going for it."

Carragher then appeared to mutter under his breath, "Oh my god" as Richards said: "I’m just saying."

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The furore around the interaction saw Carragher attempt to clarify his comments on X. "The point I was trying to make yesterday was that is at a disadvantage playing for Egypt in terms of him winning the Ballon d’Or. If Salah had an average season at LFC but won the AFCON & was MVP I don’t think he would win the Ballon d’Or," he posted.

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

"It’s not just about certain tournaments, [Andriy] Shevchenko ( ) and [Robert] 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."

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