Hamza Abdel Karim has settled into an unusually simple routine at Barcelona, walking home from training because the Egyptian striker lives only a short distance from the club’s sports complex.
The 18-year-old has become fully integrated into Hansi Flick’s first-team training, but his daily routine remains different from that of most of his senior team-mates.
While Barcelona’s first-team players generally leave the training centre in their cars, Abdel Karim simply walks through the nearest exit to the Tito Vilanova training ground and crosses the street towards his home.
The young forward lives in Sant Joan Despí, where Barcelona provides accommodation for some of its young players. The club typically offers these residences to players once they reach adulthood and finish their time at the La Masia academy.
His close proximity to the training facilities means Abdel Karim does not have to deal with long journeys after completing his daily work with the first team.
The arrangement has also given the Egyptian a particularly straightforward introduction to life around Barcelona’s senior squad.
Contract improved despite reserve-team salary
Abdel Karim’s growing involvement with the first team comes after he renewed his Barcelona contract this week.
The new agreement includes improved financial terms and an increased release clause of €150m.
Despite his regular presence with Flick’s senior squad, Abdel Karim continues to receive the salary associated with the reserve team.
His position within the club has nevertheless changed significantly, with the teenager now training alongside established first-team players while continuing to live in accommodation provided for Barcelona’s young footballers.
The contrast between his growing role on the pitch and his simple life away from training has attracted attention in Catalonia.
According to Catalan newspaper Sport, Abdel Karim is the only first-team player who regularly leaves the club’s facilities on foot.
Abdel Karim keeps close contact with fans
The striker’s short journey home also gives him opportunities to interact with Barcelona supporters who gather outside the sports complex hoping to see members of the squad.
Abdel Karim regularly stops to meet fans and take souvenir photographs with them.
The Egyptian does not turn away requests for pictures, allowing him to maintain a direct relationship with supporters during the early stages of his first-team career.
His routine is therefore markedly different from the usual movements of Barcelona’s senior players. Rather than heading to a car after training, Abdel Karim leaves through the gate closest to the Tito Vilanova training ground before making the short walk to his accommodation.
Away from those daily trips, the striker’s movements become more conventional when Barcelona travel for matches.
For now, however, most of Abdel Karim’s life in the Catalan city revolves around a small area between his accommodation and the club’s training facilities.
His integration into Flick’s first team has continued alongside a quiet routine in Sant Joan Despí, where his home is close enough to Barcelona’s training ground for him to make the journey on foot.
