Hamza Abdelkarim strengthened his case for a place in Barcelona’s first-team squad by scoring in Sunday’s friendly against Basel, taking his pre-season total to three goals and making him the club’s leading scorer during their preparations.
The Egypt striker did not start the match but came on at half-time, replacing Gordon and taking up the central striking role. Just four minutes after entering the field, Abdelkarim restored Barcelona’s lead with an acrobatic finish from a superb cross delivered by Karim Adeyemi from the left.
Adeyemi had earlier scored Barcelona’s opening goal.
The performance was another reminder to manager Hansi Flick of Abdelkarim’s progress. According to Mundo Deportivo, the forward is continuing to produce numbers that could persuade the German coach to include him in the senior squad this season.
Abdelkarim was the first international player to join Barcelona’s squad when the club resumed training. He gave up a holiday he was entitled to after representing Egypt at the World Cup and returned on the first day of preparations.
His commitment was followed by a decisive display in Barcelona’s first major friendly, against Birmingham. Abdelkarim scored both of his side’s goals in a win over the English club on home soil.
He failed to find the net during the three-team tournament in Udine, but ended that brief drought against Basel in Barcelona’s penultimate friendly of the pre-season.
The goal also carried personal significance for Abdelkarim. It came at the stadium where his idol, Mohamed Salah, began his European career.
Abdelkarim joined Barcelona on loan from Egyptian club Al Ahly in January and initially played for the youth team. Rather than taking a route through the reserve side, the player known as a “Mohamed Salah pupil” has continued to push for success at the club he regards as his dream team.
Barcelona have since activated the purchase clause in his agreement. The deal was worth 1.5m euros, plus add-ons.
His latest goal gives him three during the current preparation period and places him at the top of Barcelona’s scoring charts. That record could give him, at the very least, an opportunity to become one of Flick’s available options as a number nine, regardless of whether the club completes the expected arrival of another striker.
Abdelkarim’s progress has therefore added another element to Flick’s selection decisions before the new campaign. While his place in the senior squad is not guaranteed, his early return to training, goals against Birmingham and Basel, and continued performances have ensured that he remains firmly in the manager’s thoughts.
