Barcelona include Hamza Abdelkarim in squad for Elche as Rodri and Balde miss out

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has included Egyptian forward Hamza Abdelkarim in his squad for Sunday’s La Liga meeting with Elche, after the striker impressed during the club’s pre-season preparations.

Abdelkarim’s selection is the main feature of Flick’s squad announcement, while Rodri has been left out because he is not considered ready for the match. The midfielder missed Barcelona’s team training session on Saturday, leaving him unavailable for the second-round fixture.

Barcelona have also omitted left-back Alejandro Balde, who is reportedly close to leaving the club this summer. The decision to leave out Balde comes amid ongoing uncertainty over his future at the Catalan club.

Hector Fort and Marc Casado will also miss the game against Elche following technical decisions by Flick. Both players are considered likely candidates to depart Barcelona during the summer, adding to the significance of their absence from the squad.

Barcelona begin the match as the defending La Liga champions, having won the title in each of the past two seasons. Flick’s selection includes a mixture of established first-team players, younger members of the squad and several players whose futures at the club remain uncertain.

The full Barcelona squad named to travel to Elche is:

Joan Garcia, Wojciech Szczesny, Eder, Gavi, Fermin Lopez, Pedri, Dani Olmo, Marc Bernal, Brian Farinas, Joao Cancelo, Pau Cubarsi, Andreas Christensen, Gerard Martin, Jules Kounde, Eric Garcia, Cortes, Besques, Astralaga, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Adeyemi, Gordon and Hamza Abdelkarim.

Barcelona published the squad announcement with the message: “La convocatoria per viatjar a Elx.” The Catalan phrase means “The squad to travel to Elche”.

The fixture will be Barcelona’s second match of the La Liga campaign. Flick’s team will aim to continue its defence of the league title, while the inclusion of Abdelkarim gives the young Egyptian forward an opportunity to feature alongside Barcelona’s senior players after his strong performances during pre-season.

The selection also underlines the competition for places within Flick’s squad. With Rodri unavailable because of his lack of match readiness and Balde, Fort and Casado left out, Barcelona will face Elche without several players who have been part of the first-team picture.

The absences could also be linked to the possibility of summer transfers, with Balde, Fort and Casado all reportedly facing uncertain futures. Abdelkarim, by contrast, has been rewarded with a place in the travelling group after making a positive impression during the club’s preparations for the new season.

The original announcement also invited readers to discuss the subject and related news in Kooora forums.