CAIRO, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Egypt striker Hamza Abdelkarim could barely get a game for Al Ahly's first team before joining Barcelona but the 18-year-old is now the Catalans' leading pre-season scorer and pushing for a place in Hansi Flick’s side ahead of their LaLiga campaign.
Abdelkarim scored four goals in five warm-up appearances, starting four matches and netting in three, after cutting short his post-World Cup holiday to join Barca’s preparations.
He initially arrived from Al Ahly during the winter transfer window and scored six goals in 11 appearances for Barcelona’s under-19 side. The Spanish club exercised their purchase option in June, signing him permanently until 2029.
With Barca yet to recruit an out-and-out striker following the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, Abdelkarim could get first-team chances sooner than expected.
A product of Ahly’s youth academy, most of his few senior appearances came in Egypt’s equivalent of the English League Cup. Some Egyptian commentators questioned whether he could succeed at the highest level.
Yet Abdelkarim has appeared comfortable leading Barcelona’s attack. A classic centre-forward, he has shown a poacher’s instinct, strength in the air and an ability to link up effectively with wingers.
He announced himself with a brace in a pre-season draw in Birmingham. After going scoreless in a triangular tournament in Udine, he struck within four minutes of coming on in Basel before opening the scoring against his former club Al Ahly in the Joan Gamper Trophy.
Abdelkarim had already caught the eye at the 2025 Under-17 World Cup in Qatar, scoring twice and setting up another goal in four appearances for Egypt.
Despite his lack of senior club experience, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan included him in his squad for this year’s World Cup. He did not score in four substitute appearances but won praise for his physicality and willingness to tussle with experienced defenders.
Egyptian fans now hope he can follow the path carved out by Mohamed Salah, whose guidance Abdelkarim is eager to absorb.
“Salah always speaks to me,” he told ONSport. “I have to make the most of his advice. We all know that what Salah has achieved is no coincidence. He is an idol to all Egyptians.”
Abdelkarim’s remarkable rise could take another leap on Sunday, with the teenager in contention to lead Barca's attack in their LaLiga opener at Elche.
(Reporting by Hatem Maher; Editing by Ken Ferris)
