Barcelona name Hamza Abdulkareem in Champions League squad for Feyenoord opener

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has included young Egyptian striker Hamza Abdulkareem in his squad for the club’s Champions League opener against Feyenoord at Camp Nou on Wednesday.

The forward has been named in Barcelona’s first squad for a Champions League match after featuring in the club’s groups for several recent La Liga fixtures. Abdulkareem has also made his senior debut for Barcelona, playing for several minutes in the match against Rayo Vallecano.

Flick has selected several of Barcelona’s key attacking players for the opening match of the competition’s league phase. Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Fermin Lopez are all included, while midfielders Pedri and Rodri have also been called up.

Barcelona will be without Eric Garcia, who is suspended for the game. Frenkie de Jong and Rony Bardghji have been left out because of injury.

The match against Feyenoord will be played at Camp Nou and marks Barcelona’s first fixture in this season’s Champions League campaign. Abdulkareem’s inclusion is one of the main talking points from Flick’s selection, following his involvement in recent domestic matchday squads.

The full Barcelona squad is:

Goalkeepers: Joan Garcia, Wojciech Szczesny, Dominik Livakovic.

Defenders: Joao Cancelo, Alejandro Balde, Pau Cubarsi, Espar, Andreas Christensen, Gerard Martin, Jules Kounde.

Midfielders: Frenas, Gavi, Fermin Lopez, Pedri, Rodri, Dani Olmo, Bernal.

Forwards: Lamine Yamal, Jesus, Raphinha, Gordon, Ademi, Hamza Abdulkareem.

Barcelona announced the squad on social media with the message: “⭐️ Nuestra convocatoria para el primer partido de la Champions League ⭐️”