Report: Hamza Abdel Karim Catches Flick's Eye, Nearing First Team Call-Up

Young Egyptian striker Hamza Abdel Karim has emerged as one of the standout surprises of Barcelona's pre-season preparations for the new season, taking full advantage of the opportunity given to him by German coach Hans Flick. His name is now firmly in the mix for first-team considerations, as the Catalan club continues to explore its attacking options in the transfer market.

The 18-year-old player is experiencing an exceptional phase in his football career, having quickly transitioned from shining with Al Ahly and Egypt's youth teams to catching the eye at one of the biggest clubs in the world, as he nears securing his place among the first-team stars.

Al Ahly has kicked off its campaign with a rapid rise in performance and results.

Hamza Abdel Karim was born in Cairo on January 1, 2008, and progressed through Al Ahly's academy, before catching attention with his scoring abilities, becoming the youngest player to participate with the club's first team in the 21st century, when he played his first match at the age of 17 years and five days.

His development with the national teams has been remarkable, as he participated with Egypt's U17 team in the Africa Cup of Nations, scoring two goals, before leading the "Pharaohs" to qualify for the U17 World Cup by netting the decisive goal against Angola in the playoff.

At the U17 World Cup, Egypt's captain showcased impressive performances, scoring two goals and providing an assist in three matches. His standout displays have attracted the attention of Barcelona scouts, who have been closely monitoring his development.

A new signing at Barcelona is making waves with impressive performances. Fans are excited to see how this player will continue to impact the team.

After months of negotiations, Hamza joined Barcelona on loan last February, as part of the strategy by sporting director Deco and recruitment officer João Amaral to attract top young talents.

After completing the administrative procedures, he participated with the youth team led by Paul Blanas, where he played 9 matches, scoring 6 goals and contributing to the team's league title victory.

Hamza has realized his childhood dream of wearing the Barcelona jersey, the club he has supported since he was young. This moment was captured by his father in an old photo shared on his Instagram account, showing Hamza in the Catalan club's shirt.

The World Cup has long been regarded as the pinnacle of football competition, and recent developments have only served to enhance its standing in the global sports arena.

The most significant step in his career came when Egypt's head coach, Hossam Hassan, called him up to participate in the 2026 World Cup, after granting him his first international appearance in a friendly match against Russia on May 28.

During the World Cup, the Egyptian forward participated in four out of the five matches played by the national team, delivering impressive performances that confirmed his status as one of the most promising talents in Egyptian football.

While with the national team, he received important news as Barcelona decided to activate the purchase clause in his contract for €1.5 million, with the possibility of the deal rising to €6.5 million based on the variables stipulated in the agreement.

Despite the conclusion of his international participation, Hamza preferred not to take a break and traveled directly to Barcelona to join the first team's training camp, eager to seize the opportunity and impress Hans Flick with his abilities.

Hansi Flick has made a strong start as the new head coach of the German national team, showcasing his tactical acumen and leadership skills in his first match.

The player participated in training at the sports city before traveling with the team to the St. George's Park camp in England, where he made a perfect start in the friendly match against Birmingham City, scoring two goals in 62 minutes.

The first goal came from a penalty he earned himself before successfully converting it. He netted the second goal by following up on a rebound from the goalkeeper after a shot from his teammate Bardghji, confirming his scoring instinct and ability to position himself inside the penalty area.

Hansi Flick has expressed his admiration for the team's performance, highlighting their relentless pursuit of success. "The players have shown incredible determination and skill," Flick stated. "We are focused on our goals and will not rest until we achieve them."

Hamza Abdel Karim expressed his happiness with the start he has achieved with the first team, stating: "Everything that is happening to me is unbelievable, but I am trying to live in the moment and help the team."

He added that he understands the current plan involves playing with the reserve team under Giuliano Belletti, but he does not hide his desire to get a chance with the first team, saying: "The first team is a great environment for development, and I hope to continue growing within it. Playing with the first team? I hope so, and we should always dream. Every young player here should dream of reaching the first team and work towards achieving that."

Hans Flick praised the potential of his young striker, saying: "Hamza is a humble player with a great personality, always striving to give his best, and he has significant potential. A striker must be present in the penalty area, and today he was in the right place, which is what I expect from any center forward."

A pivotal opportunity arises for the player.

Hamza Abdel Karim's rise comes at a sensitive time for Barcelona, which is reorganizing its attacking options following the departure of Polish striker Robert Lewandowski. Additionally, uncertainty surrounds Ferran Torres' future, while the management continues its search for a new forward, with Argentine Julian Alvarez at the top of their list, despite Atletico Madrid's insistence on keeping him.

In these circumstances, the Egyptian striker has a genuine opportunity to assert himself among Hans Flick's choices, as the new season approaches, which will see Barcelona kick off their La Liga campaign on August 23 against Elche.