Tough turning point for Hamza Abdelkarim at Barcelona

Spanish media have strongly criticised the latest performance of Egyptian youngster Hamza Abdelkarim for Barcelona’s Under-19s, calling his display against Deportivo La Coruna a game to forget.

The semi-final of the Spanish Youth Cup ended 3–2 for Barcelona in dramatic fashion, but the focus quickly turned to the 18-year-old forward.

Abdelkarim started the match and was substituted around the 60th minute after a muted outing. Spanish outlet Sport noted that although he was in the starting XI, he appeared “present but absent”, with limited movement in the box and spending much of the game with his back to goal.

The report added that he leaned heavily on his physical strength but struggled, just like many of his teammates, against Deportivo’s organised defence. Barca’s problems grew after captain Pedro Rodriguez went off injured inside the first half hour, disrupting their rhythm.

Barcelona still advanced thanks to goals from Alex Gonzalez and substitute Fofana, who headed in the extra-time winner from an Adrian Guerrero cross. Abdelkarim will now look to respond and prove himself again as Barca B prepare to face Girona B in the Spanish fourth division on March 14, 2026.
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