Hamza Abdelkarim stays with Barcelona first team as most La Masia youngsters leave

Hamza Abdelkarim will remain with Barcelona’s first team as manager Hansi Flick finalises his squad for the new season, after the reserve-team striker impressed during pre-season.

The Egypt international scored twice in friendly matches against Birmingham City, Nottingham Forest and Udinese, strengthening his case for a place in Flick’s plans. Barcelona confirmed that Abdelkarim and Alvaro Cortes will continue training with the senior squad, while most of the La Masia academy players involved in first-team sessions over recent weeks have now been left out.

Goalkeepers Iker Rodriguez and Aron Yaakobishvili have also joined the first team during the recent training period.

Flick had called on players from Barcelona Atletic and the youth teams for training sessions and matches in the weeks following the World Cup, when several senior players were absent on international duty.

The Barcelona manager led Monday’s session after the squad had been given a day off. All available first-team players took part, including Anthony Gordon, Eric Garcia and Joan Garcia, who joined the club’s pre-season preparations on Sunday and completed their first training session with the rest of the squad.

France defender Jules Kounde is expected to return to training on Tuesday. World champions Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres, Pau Cubarsi, Lamine Yamal and Pedri are due back on Wednesday.

Barcelona’s next fixture is a friendly against Basel on Sunday. The Catalan club will then face Al Ahly in the Joan Gamper Trophy on Wednesday, 19 August, before beginning their La Liga campaign against Elche on 23 August.

Abdelkarim could remain with the first team when the competitive season begins, particularly because Barcelona have not yet signed a new recognised centre-forward.

Robert Lewandowski left the club at the end of last season, while Ferran Torres is reportedly nearing a move to Paris Saint-Germain. Those departures could increase the likelihood of Abdelkarim being given a senior role, although the club’s immediate plans have not been formally confirmed.

The 2026 World Cup period has already played an important part in the forward’s bid to convince Flick. Abdelkarim chose not to take a break after completing his involvement with Egypt at the tournament and instead joined Barcelona’s training camp from its first day.

His performances in pre-season, including the goals against Birmingham City and Nottingham Forest and Udinese, have made a strong impression on the coaching staff. Barcelona’s decision to keep him with the first team, alongside Cortes, represents the clearest indication yet that he is being considered as part of the squad for the campaign ahead.

Flick’s group will continue to grow as the returning international players report back for duty, with Barcelona preparing for the final stages of pre-season before their opening La Liga match.