Barcelona delay Hamza Abdul Karim appearances as they plan major contract upgrade

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick deliberately kept Hamza Abdul Karim out of the club’s opening official matches while the summer transfer window remained open, according to Catalan newspaper Sport, because of concerns unrelated to the 18-year-old’s footballing ability.

The Egypt international made his first appearance of the season in Barcelona’s La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano in the third round, coming on as a substitute for the final five minutes.

Sport reports that Flick did not want to risk Abdul Karim’s talent attracting attention during competitive matches in the same way it had during pre-season. The decision was made in full co-ordination with the sporting department, led by Deco.

Barcelona were concerned that another club could try to sign Abdul Karim, whose current contract does not reflect his emerging status. In particular, his release clause is set at only 15m euros a relatively small figure compared with the financial strength of leading European clubs, especially those in England.

Abdul Karim enjoyed an outstanding start under Flick during pre-season, scoring four of the 10 goals Barcelona netted while preparing for the 2026-27 campaign.

He will remain registered with Barcelona Atletic, but is expected to continue training with the first team and could receive more playing time under Flick.

Contract review planned

With the transfer window now closed and the club able to work with greater calm, Barcelona are expected to begin improving Abdul Karim’s contract.

The process had already been planned, but Sport says the heavy workload during the final days of the transfer window forced the club to postpone it.

Barcelona intend to increase the striker’s release clause to 150m euros. That would represent a 900% increase from its current value of 15m euros.

Continued first-team involvement

Abdul Karim is expected to remain with the first team despite Barcelona’s signing of Gabriel Jesus, with Flick understood to be convinced by the striker’s ability.

His continued absence from Barcelona Atletic’s squad could provide further evidence of the manager’s plans for him. Barcelona Atletic announced their squad for Wednesday’s Catalan Cup final without including Abdul Karim’s name.

The match took place two days after Flick’s side faced Rayo Vallecano, meaning Abdul Karim could have been available to play after featuring for only five minutes against Rayo.

However, the former Al Ahly forward has not trained with Barcelona Atletic at any point since the start of the summer. He joined the first team at the beginning of pre-season, played in all of its preparation matches and was then included in the senior squad for each of Barcelona’s opening three La Liga fixtures.

Abdul Karim was an unused substitute in Barcelona’s first two league matches of the new season before making his debut against Rayo Vallecano. His involvement followed an impressive pre-season in which he scored four goals.

Speaking to 3Cat after the match, Abdul Karim said: “It is a very exciting feeling to play an official match at Camp Nou, and I want to experience this feeling many times.”

He added: “I was very excited to play in front of so many fans. It is an unbelievable feeling, and I want to live it again and again.”

“I hope to help the team as much as possible and that we win everything,” he said.

Abdul Karim also praised his Barcelona team-mates, saying: “Raphinha is a great player. He has natural talent. He is a great person, and we all know that he always gives 100% of his effort on the side where he plays.”

He described Lamine Yamal as “a magical player”, adding: “He has two amazing feet, and that makes him very enjoyable to watch.”

“Lamine plays for the team and helps all of us do what we want to do,” Abdul Karim said.

He concluded: “Being at the top of the table is where we should be, and we have to maintain it.”

Barcelona are top of La Liga with a perfect record, ahead of Real Madrid on goal difference.