Former Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton has hit back at African legends and fans who have criticized former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher.

Carragher has come under severe backlash from fans after denigrating the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The former England international claimed that the AFCON is not a major tournament while analyzing Mohamed Salah's chances of winning the Ballon d'Or.

Despite later apologizing for his remarks, Barton has backed Carragher, claiming that the continent has not produced a better defender than the former Liverpool defender.

“Can anybody out there, as much as all the Afrikanos have had a pop at Carragher for saying what he said?

“There’s no better defender to come from Africa than Jamie Carragher. Africa has never produced a better defender than Jamie Carragher.

“Name me a better defender; can anybody name me a better African defender? Kolo Touré is not better than Carragher.

“If I said to you, can you have one in your team, bear in mind Carragher played at right back. Again, we’re going through this great continent that’s produced phenomenal talent and deserves to be taken seriously as a major tournament. Well, you can’t name me one defender.”