Barcelona call on Hamza Abdelkarim for youth team ahead of Aston Villa clash

Egyptian forward Hamza Abdelkarim, 18, had a dual experience with Barcelona, starting with the youth team in a match against Aston Villa in the UEFA Youth League, before moving to Spotify Camp Nou to attend the first team's match against the English club in the UEFA Champions League.

Hamza Abdelkarim participated in the first half of the match held at Johan Cruyff Arena, after coach Pol Planas called upon him alongside Ibrahima Konaté to strengthen the youth team. His teammates tried to reach him through crosses, but he did not get clear chances to score, leaving the pitch at half-time to be replaced by Oscar Justau.

The match ended in a 3-3 draw, with Iñaki Martínez scoring the equalizer for FC Barcelona in the 90th minute. After the match, a member of the club accompanied Hamza Abdelkarim directly to his next destination, making him available among coach Hansi Flick's options for the first team's clash against Aston Villa.

The levels shown by the Egyptian striker during the pre-season, which he finished as the top scorer for the first team, contributed to his promotion to Flick's group. However, he spent the first half of the year with the youth team under the guidance of Pol Planas, before getting the chance to appear with the first team in an official match, even before his debut with FC Barcelona Atlètic.

However, Hamza Abdelkarim is not yet getting regular first-team opportunities, having long been seen as the natural replacement for Raphinha. The signing of Brazilian Gabriel Jesus in the closing days of the transfer window has pushed him down the pecking order, making him the third choice for the central striker position.

FC Barcelona previously recalled Hamza Abdelkarim to the youth team in mid-October, and he participated with Barcelona Atlètic against Utibo, scoring a penalty in the match that ended with his team winning 2-1. The Egyptian forward has only played 12 minutes with the first team so far, with four minutes against Rayo Vallecano and eight minutes against Getafe.

His new participation with the youth team aims to provide him with additional playing minutes and maintain his readiness, without excluding him from Flick's considerations for the first team.