Hansi Flick’s backing gives Hamza Abdelkarim a platform to build on at Barcelona

Hamza Abdelkarim’s first-team debut for Barcelona was no surprise to his family, according to his father, who says the young Egyptian forward had worked hard to earn the trust of head coach Hansi Flick.

The 18-year-old came on as a substitute against Rayo Vallecano in La Liga last Monday, making his first official appearance in Barcelona’s senior side during a 5-2 victory.

Speaking to 365Scores, Mohamed Abdelkarim said his son had understood from the moment he arrived at Barcelona that establishing himself would be difficult.

“Hamza, since arriving at Barcelona, has known very well that the competition would not be easy. His goal was always to improve day after day and benefit from being alongside great players,” he said.

Abdelkarim added that his son’s progress in training and his performances in front of the coaching staff had earned him the opportunity to play for the first team.

“During the recent period, Hamza made a great effort and succeeded in proving himself to the coaching staff. Therefore, getting the chance to play with the first team was not a surprise for us,” he said.

“Hansi Flick is a great coach. His confidence in Hamza, and giving him the opportunity to appear with the first team, represent a very important step in my son’s career. We hope it will be the beginning of more opportunities.”

The appearance made Abdelkarim the first Egyptian player to feature officially for Barcelona’s first team. His father said the landmark was a source of immense pride for the whole family, as well as a significant moment for Egypt.

“As a family, we followed his journey and knew how much effort he had put in to reach this stage. Seeing him play for the first team in an official Spanish league match was an exceptional moment for us,” he said.

“For Hamza to become the first Egyptian player to make an official appearance for Barcelona’s first team is a great honour for him and for our family. We feel proud that he is representing Egypt at one of the biggest clubs in the world.”

‘The beginning of a more difficult stage’

Mohamed Abdelkarim described his son as naturally quiet and said he preferred to let his football speak for him rather than discuss his own achievements.

“Hamza is a very calm person by nature and does not like talking about himself too much. He always prefers to focus on the pitch and in training, and let his performances speak for him,” he said.

The teenager’s father also stressed that reaching Barcelona’s senior side should not be viewed as the end of his ambitions.

“I always tell him that reaching the first team is not the end of the dream, but the beginning of a more difficult stage that requires more work, focus and patience,” he said.

“I hope his appearance against Rayo Vallecano is only the beginning, that Hamza continues to develop and receives more opportunities, and that he writes a long story with Barcelona in the coming years and raises Egypt’s name.”

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