Hamza Abdelkarim leads Barcelona’s pre-season scoring after Basel winner

Hamza Abdelkarim strengthened his case for a place in Hansi Flick’s Barcelona first-team plans by scoring in Sunday’s friendly against Basel, taking his pre-season tally to three goals.

The Egypt striker began the match on the bench but made an immediate impact after coming on at half-time, replacing Gordon and taking up the central striker role.

Just four minutes after his introduction, Abdelkarim restored Barcelona’s lead with an acrobatic finish from a superb cross by Karim Adeyemi from the left. Adeyemi had scored Barcelona’s opening goal.

The strike made Abdelkarim Barcelona’s leading scorer during their current preparations and added to the growing belief that he could become one of Flick’s options as a central forward this season, regardless of whether the club completes the expected signing of another number nine.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the Egyptian continues to produce the kind of numbers that could persuade the German manager to include him in the senior squad.

Abdelkarim did not start Barcelona’s friendly against Basel, but his latest appearance was another opportunity to impress Flick. He had failed to score during the triangular tournament in Udine, yet returned to the scoresheet in what was Barcelona’s penultimate friendly of the pre-season.

His most productive performance so far came in Barcelona’s first major warm-up match against Birmingham. Playing away from home, the Egyptian scored both of his side’s goals against the English club.

The goal against Basel also carried personal significance for Abdelkarim. It came at the stadium where his idol, Mohamed Salah, began his European career.

Abdelkarim was the first international player to return to Barcelona’s squad after the break, reporting for training on the first day of the club’s resumption of work. He gave up a holiday he was entitled to after representing Egypt at the World Cup.

The forward joined Barcelona on loan from Egyptian club Al Ahly last January and initially played for the club’s youth team. Rather than moving through the reserve side, the player known as a disciple of Salah has continued to push for a place at the club he regards as his dream destination.

Barcelona have since activated the purchase clause in his agreement. The deal is worth 1.5m euros, with additional payments included through add-ons.

That decision, combined with Abdelkarim’s three goals in pre-season, has placed him firmly in the conversation around Barcelona’s attacking options. His latest finish will give Flick further evidence to consider as he assesses the squad ahead of the new campaign.