Barcelona keep Hamza Abdelkarim with first team despite return of internationals

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has decided to keep reserve-team striker Hamza Abdelkarim with the senior squad, even though all of the club’s international players have now returned to training ahead of the new season.

The Egyptian forward impressed during Barcelona’s pre-season preparations, scoring in friendly victories against Birmingham City, Nottingham Forest and Udinese. His performances have earned him an extended opportunity to work with the first team as Flick assesses his options before the campaign begins.

Barcelona confirmed on Wednesday that Abdelkarim and a number of La Masia academy players took part in training, despite the return of the club’s full group of internationals.

The squad is now complete for the first time since preparations for the new season began a month ago.

Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Pau Cubarsi and Dani Olmo all returned to training after their period of rest following the World Cup. Ferran Torres was absent with permission as he continues negotiations over a possible move to Paris Saint-Germain.

Flick had relied on several reserve-team and youth players in training sessions and friendly matches in recent weeks because a number of senior players were away following the conclusion of the World Cup.

Abdelkarim may now remain with Barcelona’s first team when the season starts, particularly because the club have yet to sign a recognised replacement for Robert Lewandowski.

Lewandowski left Barcelona at the end of last season, while Torres is edging closer to a move to Paris Saint-Germain. That could leave Flick short of established options in the central striker position and increase the likelihood of Abdelkarim being involved with the senior squad.

The 2026-27 campaign will provide the forward with an opportunity to build on a strong period of preparation. Abdelkarim chose not to take a break after completing Egypt’s World Cup campaign and instead joined Barcelona’s training camp from its opening day.

His aim was to convince Flick of his ability, and his displays have gone a considerable way towards achieving that.

Barcelona’s next pre-season fixture is against Basel on Sunday. They will then face Al Ahly in the Joan Gamper Trophy on Wednesday, 19 August, before opening their La Liga campaign against Elche on 23 August.

Flick’s decision to continue working with Abdelkarim means the Egyptian remains part of the first-team picture as Barcelona complete their preparations, despite the return of the senior internationals who had been unavailable for much of the summer.