Barcelona see 18-year-old talent as ‘real option’ in first-team dynamics

Barcelona have begun to trust 18-year-old Hamza Abdelkarim as a potential striker in their first-team. The Egyptian teenager showcased his skills by scoring four goals in just 241 minutes during pre-season. This performance came after Abdelkarim, who joined Barcelona on loan from Al Ahly in January, prioritized the club's preparations over his holiday.

Instead of blending into the background, the teenager played in every friendly under manager Hansi Flick and forced his way into the first-team. Barcelona's confidence in Abdelkarim stems from his natural instinct in the penalty area, physical presence, and ability to create scoring opportunities. The club is now working on a new contract to improve his current terms and raise his release clause from €15 million to a substantial €150 million.

This development indicates that Barcelona sees Abdelkarim as a genuine alternative to other forwards and a potential long-term solution to their attacking needs.