Abdelkarim fights for a place at Barcelona after prolific pre-season
Egyptian 18-year-old forward Hamza Abdelkarim became Barcelona’s top scorer in pre-season matches and could get a chance in Hansi Flick’s first team before the start of the La Liga season. According to Channel NewsAsia, which published Reuters material, the player scored four goals in five friendlies, started four times and found the net in three matches.
Contract until 2029
Abdelkarim joined the Catalan club from Egypt’s Al Ahly in winter. He scored six goals in 11 matches for Barcelona’s under-19 team. In June, the club exercised its purchase option and signed the forward to a full contract until 2029.
Before moving to Spain, the forward rarely played for Al Ahly’s first team. Most of his limited appearances at senior level came in the Egyptian equivalent of the English League Cup. In Barcelona’s pre-season matches, he played as a central forward, showing an ability to operate in the penalty area, compete in the air and link up with wingers.
After the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, Barcelona have not yet signed a specialist central forward. This could open a path for Abdelkarim to play for the first team earlier than expected.
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Goals and national team appearances
Abdelkarim scored a brace in a pre-season match in Birmingham. He did not score at the tournament in Udine, but found the net in Basel four minutes after coming on as a substitute. The Egyptian also opened the scoring in the Joan Gamper Trophy match against his former club Al Ahly.
The forward attracted attention at the 2025 U-17 World Cup in Qatar: in four matches for Egypt, he scored two goals and provided one assist. Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan included him in the squad for this year’s World Cup. Abdelkarim came on as a substitute four times and did not score, but, according to Reuters, he was noted for his physical play and readiness to battle experienced defenders.
The player also told ONSport that he receives advice from Mohamed Salah and considers him an idol for Egyptians. On Sunday, Abdelkarim could lead Barcelona’s attack in the first-round La Liga match against Elche.
