Rising through the ranks
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, as reported by The Straits Times.
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 Barcelona'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.
Opportunity knocks
With Barcelona 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, according to The Straits Times. The same departure is confirmed by Yardbarker, which reports that Lewandowski has left for MLS and Torres was sold to Paris Saint-Germain.
A product of Ahly's youth academy, most of Abdelkarim's 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, but Abdelkarim has appeared comfortable leading Barcelona's attack.
Pre-season impact
Abdelkarim 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, as detailed by The Straits Times.
Yardbarker reports a similar tally, saying he scored four goals in four pre-season matches, convincing Barcelona to give him a serious chance this season.
Contract talks
Barcelona want to renegotiate and improve Abdelkarim Hamza's contract, according to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, as reported by Yardbarker. That is striking, given that Hamza has only been under contract in Catalonia since July.
Barcelona signed Hamza on loan from Al-Ahly last winter, with an option to buy for €1.5 million, which they triggered in the summer. The club fear interested sides could sign him for that relatively low fee, so they also want to remove the €15 million release clause from his contract, Yardbarker reports.
International credentials
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, who has been a source of inspiration for the teenager. "Salah always speaks to me," Abdelkarim said, as quoted by The Straits Times. "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."
Looking ahead
Hansi Flick is very likely to start the Egyptian on Sunday evening, when Barcelona play their first league match against Elche, according to Yardbarker. The Straits Times similarly notes that Abdelkarim is in contention to lead Barcelona's attack in their LaLiga opener at Elche.
With Lewandowski and Torres gone and no new out-and-out striker signed, Abdelkarim's rapid rise could see him become a regular feature in Barcelona's starting lineup sooner than expected.