Barcelona pleased with Hamza Abdelkarim’s attitude amid limited first-team role

Barcelona are highly satisfied with Hamza Abdelkarim’s attitude and willingness to accept a supporting role among the club’s first-team stars, according to Sport.

The Egypt international has been included in Hansi Flick’s squad for every match since the start of the season except one, but has played only 12 minutes. He was therefore selected for Barcelona Atletic to gain match fitness and playing experience.

Barcelona’s management has been impressed by Abdelkarim’s readiness to help the first team when required, while also strengthening the reserve side when his involvement is needed there.

Flick is also understood to be very pleased with the forward, both for his conduct in the dressing room and his performances in training.

Sport reported that Abdelkarim had shown considerable humility and maturity in dealing with his limited opportunities for the senior side. He has not only accepted the situation but has also been enthusiastic about playing for Barcelona Atletic when called upon.

Abdelkarim trained under Flick on Wednesday as Barcelona returned to work following painful defeats by Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid. He watched both matches from the bench without being given a single minute on the pitch.

His most recent appearance came for Barcelona Atletic on 17 October against Utebo. It remains his only match for the reserve team so far, and he opened the scoring from the penalty spot in a 2-1 victory.

The club has also been impressed by how quickly Abdelkarim has settled into Barcelona’s first-team dressing room.

“Although he is not very talkative and is somewhat shy, he naturally shares jokes and amusing moments with his team-mates, as if he had been one of them for a long time,” the report said.

“Even when he joins the reserve team, he maintains the same attitude and does not act as though he is above any other player.”

Barcelona host Deportivo Alaves on Saturday at 21:00, while Barcelona Atletic face Arnedo at 18:00, three hours before the senior side’s match.