Hamza Abdelkarim: Barcelona's young Egyptian bet to fill their striker void

Hamza Abdelkarim is becoming Barcelona's summer surprise. The 18-year-old Egyptian forward has scored three goals in five preseason matches for FC Barcelona, making him the team's top scorer in this preparatory phase. His latest performance came Sunday against FC Basel, when he came on at halftime and added to the rout (5-2). A week earlier, he had already made an impact in Birmingham with a brace (2-2, 2-3 on penalties).

Barcelona's measured gamble

Formed at Cairo's Al-Ahly, Abdelkarim arrived in Barcelona in February on loan with an option to buy. After handling administrative procedures, he joined the U19 team, where he scored six goals in nine league matches. The club didn't take long to decide: on June 23, while playing in the World Cup, Barcelona officially triggered the purchase for €1.5 million and offered him a contract until June 2029, according to L'Équipe.

His breakthrough comes at the perfect moment. With Lewandowski leaving for Chicago (MLS), Ferran Torres heading to PSG, and Marcus Rashford returning to Manchester on loan, plus failed negotiations for Julián Álvarez from Atlético, manager Hansi Flick has been left without a leading number 9. The German coach has already praised him: «Hamza does what I expect from a number 9. He's very humble and has a tremendous personality».

International breakthrough at youth level

At just 18, Abdelkarim has already written a chapter in Egyptian football history. He featured in the 2026 World Cup with his national team, becoming Egypt's youngest ever player at a World Cup, surpassing goalkeeper Mostafa Kamel Mansour's record (dating back to 1934). During the tournament, Mohamed Salah mentored him, inviting him to share his room and gifting him a welcome shirt. Abdelkarim even skipped his vacation after the tournament to rejoin the first team from day one. Now it remains to be seen whether Flick will give him genuine playing time up front this season.