He was one of the first to be born: on January 1, 2008. In the last winter transfer window, he became the first Egyptian footballer in the history of FC Barcelona. And now Hamza Abdelkarim continues to write a career as early as it is promising. Without having yet passed through the reserve team and after debuting with the Egyptian senior national team in the World Cup, where he replaced none other than Mohamed Salah, he became the youngest Egyptian international in history and also the youngest Arab footballer to play in a World Cup.
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“We knew the talent he had. We made the right choice signing Hamza Abdelkarim. It is a job of the entire scouting department,” explain sources from FC Barcelona after witnessing his performance in the first preseason friendly in Birmingham where he scored a brace.
The casting to fill the number nine position remains open and, while the signing of Julián Álvarez seems increasingly complicated, Flick, a strong advocate for young players, is taking advantage of the preseason to test them. Abdelkarim responded with two goals: he equalized the match in the 41st minute by converting a penalty he himself caused and scored the 1-2 by taking advantage of a rebound from goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell after a shot from Roony Bardghji. “The most important thing is to help the team. Scoring two goals in my first match is incredible, but it was an effort from the whole group,” he explained with a shy and humble speech after the match.
While the option of Julián Álvarez cools down, Flick looks for answers in young talent
In Birmingham, he also left a good impression among the rivals. “He has to leave happy because he scored two goals. I think he did very well. It is not easy to play as a center forward. Barça is right to bet on young players like him. I wish him the best,” said Carlos Vicente, attacking midfielder of Birmingham City, in statements to La Vanguardia .
Flick did not spare praise either. “I think he is a very humble boy. He has an excellent mentality and every day he gives his best. That is very important. He has a lot of potential. As a forward, you have to be in the right place when a chance appears in the area and he was there,” assured the German.
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“We always make this type of signings thinking about the first team,” say the club offices
His story began at Al Ahly, where he trained for five years. Barely one season after debuting with the first team, he caught the attention of Barcelona, who incorporated him last January on loan with a purchase option. He had already shone with the under-17 national team in the Africa Cup. Bureaucratic problems delayed his debut with Juvenil A by a month, but once registered, he took very little time to make a difference. Wearing the number 9 jersey that he also wore in Birmingham, he scored three headed goals in just fifteen minutes to give the league to Pol Planas’ team. In total, he played nine league matches, in which he scored six goals.
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After his World Cup call-up, Barcelona announced his definitive signing on St. John’s Day by executing the purchase option, set at 1.5 million. Abdelkarim signed until June 30, 2029, with a Barça Atlètic contract, although he will usually work under Flick’s orders. “We always make this type of signings thinking about the first team,” explain the club offices. Barça especially likes his physique. At 1.85 meters tall, he is described as a classic number nine, with a great sense of positioning, a powerful left foot, and notable aerial ability. He still needs to improve in association with his teammates, something logical due to his youth.
“Barcelona gives confidence to young players. We know that here we can grow,” says the Egyptian
At 18 years old, the attacker admits that just six months ago, when he arrived in Barcelona, he did not imagine such a rapid progression. “It is a very nice step. I don’t know if I would have imagined it, but here we are,” he admitted. Despite the speed at which events are unfolding, he insists on keeping his feet on the ground. “If you enjoy playing football and doing what you like, I wouldn’t say it’s difficult. Barcelona gives confidence to young players. We know that here we can grow. You just have to play with confidence,” he said.
The Egyptian forward also had words of admiration for Lamine Yamal, with whom he has not yet coincided. “He is our best player and I am very eager to play with him,” he confessed. While waiting to share the dressing room with the Barça winger, he spends many hours with the also newly arrived Karim Adeyemi. Both communicate in English and will learn Spanish together.
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