Hamza Abdelkarim gives Hansi Flick a new attacking option at Barcelona

Barcelona’s 18-year-old Egyptian forward Hamza Abdelkarim has emerged as one of the biggest surprises of the club’s pre-season after scoring twice against Birmingham City, prompting widespread praise from the Spanish media.

Abdelkarim’s performance in the friendly has intensified speculation that he could remain with the first team for the new season. His display has also drawn attention to Barcelona’s shortage of alternatives in attack, particularly with the club lacking an ideal replacement for Robert Lewandowski and negotiations for Julian Alvarez having stalled.

Marca praised the young forward’s decision to cut short his holiday and join Barcelona’s preparations immediately after representing Egypt at the World Cup. Under the headline “Hamza’s plan works”, the newspaper highlighted the player’s movement, his positioning inside the penalty area and the confidence he has shown despite his age.

The report said those qualities had made Abdelkarim a player of particular interest to manager Hansi Flick. The Egyptian’s two goals against Birmingham City provided the clearest indication yet of his ability to compete for opportunities during the club’s preparations for the new campaign.

Mundo Deportivo described him as “Flick’s ambitious goalscorer” and said he was “a different type of striker from Barcelona’s other forwards”. The newspaper added that he represented “the profile the team has lacked since Lewandowski’s departure”.

The publication also focused on Abdelkarim’s mental strength. After winning a penalty, he stepped forward to take the spot-kick himself and converted it with confidence, despite facing opponents older and more experienced than him.

Sport devoted an extended report to the forward under the headline “Hamza Abdelkarim’s solution: Barcelona’s surprise striker who entered the transfer market”. It traced his route from the academy of Egyptian club Al Ahly to the centre of European football.

The newspaper reported that “Barcelona scouts noticed his potential and skills” during international youth tournaments. That assessment eventually led the Catalan club to activate a €1.5m purchase clause for the player.

There was also a lighter moment highlighted by Cadena SER. During an interview at St Andrew’s, stadium announcements repeatedly interrupted Abdelkarim’s answers. He responded with a smile and joked that the loudspeakers were “helping him” overcome his nerves when speaking to the media.

Cadena SER viewed the episode as another sign of the teenager’s maturity and personality, despite his limited experience at senior level.

Flick has also spoken publicly about Abdelkarim, offering a strong endorsement of the Egyptian’s character and ability. The Barcelona manager said he was “very humble, has a great personality and enormous potential”.

Flick added: “He knows how to position himself well inside the area, and that is exactly what I ask of a centre-forward.”

The praise from Spain’s leading football newspapers, combined with his two-goal showing against Birmingham City, has put Abdelkarim firmly into the discussion around Barcelona’s first-team plans.

The club must now decide whether the teenager is ready to stay with the senior squad or continue his development elsewhere. With the search for attacking cover unresolved and the proposed move for Julian Alvarez stalled, the opportunity could open for the “Egyptian miracle” to write a new chapter in Barcelona’s history.