Gerard Martin praises Barcelona youngster Hamza Abdelkarim and backs Lamine Yamal for Ballon d’Or

Barcelona defender Gerard Martin has praised Egypt international and young team-mate Hamza Abdelkarim, describing him as a hard-working player with “great potential” and an excellent personality.

Martin told Spanish newspaper Sport: “Hamza is a little more shy, but he is an extremely hard-working player and a wonderful person. He also has great potential.”

The Barcelona defender said the team had made an impressive start to the season but would now have to manage the disruption caused by the international break.

“We started the season very well and now we have to stop for a few days, but we will come back with a lot of enthusiasm,” he said.

Martin also reflected on his performances after being used at centre-back last season.

“I had a great season playing in central defence last year, and I will try to maintain the same level this season,” he added.

The 3-week gap without league football is not something Martin welcomes, although he expects Barcelona to return in good condition.

“I do not like it. I do not think anyone likes being away from the league for 3 weeks, because it is a long time without competition and we have to stop during that period,” he said.

“The break will affect our level to some extent, but we will try to come back at the same level we were at.”

Martin explained that his move into central defence began during Barcelona’s Asian tour of Japan, when manager Hansi Flick asked him to try the position.

“It happened during the Asian tour in Japan. Hansi Flick told me he wanted to try me in a match at centre-back, and I performed well,” Martin said.

He added that the nickname “Maldini” was regularly used for him by team-mate Eric Garcia.

“Eric Garcia always calls me that, and there are other players who do it as well, but Eric uses it the most,” he said.

Martin also spoke highly of Lamine Yamal, saying that facing the Spain international in training was demanding but beneficial.

“Training against Lamine is difficult, but it is useful for me. The stronger the competition in training, the better,” he said.

“Lamine is very young, and perhaps some people have a different image of him away from the pitch. But I see him every day and I can say that he is very mature and humble, even if that is not clear to everyone.”

“For me, Lamine is the best player, so he should win the Ballon d’Or,” Martin concluded.

Martin was promoted to Barcelona’s first team in the summer of 2024 and his contract runs until the summer of 2028. He has made 99 appearances for the club, scoring once and providing seven assists.

Barcelona lead La Liga with 21 points from seven wins. They will face Getafe at Camp Nou on Saturday 10 October, after the international break, in the eighth round of La Liga.