Hamza Abdelkarim’s attitude and willingness to accept opportunities with either Barcelona’s first team or reserve side have impressed the club’s officials, according to Catalan newspaper Sport.
The 18-year-old Egypt striker has been praised for his maturity, humility and professional approach, despite having gained considerable attention in his home country after appearing at the World Cup.
“Not every player of this age would find it easy to deal with a similar situation, especially an Egyptian striker who has become widely known in his country after playing at the World Cup,” Sport reported.
“However, Hamza has shown great humility and awareness, whether accepting limited appearances with the first team or agreeing to play for Barcelona Atletic under Giuliano Belletti when asked.”
Abdelkarim took part in Barcelona’s training session on Wednesday as the squad returned to work following painful defeats by Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid. He had been among the substitutes for both matches but did not play.
His most recent appearance came on 17 October, when he made his only outing so far for Barcelona Atletic. He scored from the penalty spot to give his side the lead against Utebo in a match Barcelona won 2-1 at the Johan Cruyff Stadium.
After extending his contract until 2030, Abdelkarim said his priority was to secure playing time, whether that came with the first team or the reserves. He also stressed that he did not want to put himself in an embarrassing position.
Sport said that approach reflected a player focused on gaining experience and continuing his development rather than on status. Abdelkarim understands that regular football will help him adjust more quickly to Barcelona’s style, which differs from the football he played before moving to Catalonia.
Praise from Flick and team-mates
Barcelona’s appreciation of Abdelkarim extends beyond his ability on the pitch. He has also settled smoothly into the first-team dressing room, where he remains modest despite his ambition to compete with some of the world’s best players.
Although naturally quiet and shy, he joins his team-mates in moments of humour and relaxation. He maintains the same attitude when working with the reserve side and does not behave as if he is above his team-mates or his role within the group.
Manager Hansi Flick is satisfied with Abdelkarim’s conduct in the dressing room and his work in training, although the German currently has more established options in attack.
Barcelona face Deportivo Alaves at 21:00 Spain time on Saturday, 31 October 2026, before meeting Aston Villa in the Champions League on 3 November 2026. Barcelona Atletic play Arnedo at 18:00 on Saturday at the Johan Cruyff Stadium.
Whether his next chance comes with the first team or the reserves, Abdelkarim’s main objective remains the same: to play as many minutes as possible and use every opportunity to demonstrate his ability.
