World Cup 2026: Marca hails Hamza Abdelkarim as perfect signing for Barcelona

Spanish newspaper Marca has praised Barcelona’s decision to sign young Egyptian forward Hamza Abdelkarim, describing the deal as an ideal piece of business following the player’s impressive performances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Egyptian youngster has emerged as one of the standout breakthrough talents of the tournament, playing an influential role for Egypt as the Pharaohs sit top of Group G.

Marca Highlights Barcelona’s Smart Move

According to Marca, Barcelona secured the signing of Hamza Abdelkarim earlier this year, a move that is now being viewed as a major success after the player’s rapid rise on the international stage.

The Catalan club signed the Egyptian talent during the winter transfer window on a loan deal aimed at strengthening the youth side.

Since arriving in Spain, the young striker has attracted attention through his performances for Barcelona’s youth team while also earning a call-up to Egypt’s squad for the World Cup.

Hamza Making an Impact at the World Cup

Hamza Abdelkarim has continued to impress during the ongoing tournament, featuring in both of Egypt’s matches so far.

The forward played around 15 minutes in Egypt’s historic 3-1 victory over New Zealand before making another substitute appearance in the draw against Belgium.

Despite his limited minutes, the youngster has shown enough quality to strengthen belief in his enormous potential.

Barcelona Ready to Activate Purchase Clause

Marca reported that Hamza’s displays with Barcelona’s youth side convinced club officials to move forward with plans to activate the purchase option included in the loan agreement with Al Ahly.

Under the terms of the agreement, Barcelona would pay 1.5 million euros for the player, in addition to various performance-related bonuses agreed upon between both clubs.

The report added that Hamza arrived in Barcelona regarded as one of the brightest talents in Egyptian football, with many already viewing him as a possible long-term successor to Mohamed Salah.

However, the newspaper suggested that the player is now beginning to establish himself as far more than simply a prospect for the future.

Strong Numbers Despite Delayed Debut

Hamza’s first months in Barcelona were affected by administrative and bureaucratic complications that delayed his debut until March, despite joining the club in January.

Even with those setbacks, the Egyptian striker quickly made his mark by scoring eight goals in 11 appearances for the youth team.

His performances have reportedly caught the attention of Barcelona first-team coach Hansi Flick, who indicated before the end of the season that Hamza could become part of the club’s plans during preseason preparations for the upcoming campaign.

Marca concluded by describing the transfer as a perfect signing for Barcelona, highlighting the remarkable rise of a player who has gone from youth football to delivering influential performances on the World Cup stage within a matter of months.