Zamalek agree Benfica training spell for teenage prospect Mohamed Hamad

Zamalek have agreed to allow teenage midfielder Mohamed Hamad to travel to Portugal for a week-long training spell with Benfica.

The 18-year-old is due to leave Egypt today after the Egyptian club approved his opportunity to spend time with the Portuguese side.

Hamad has attracted attention after impressing with Egypt’s Under-20 side, earning promotion to Zamalek’s first team. His development has now led to an invitation to train at Benfica, one of Portugal’s leading clubs.

He recently made his senior debut for Zamalek, coming on as a substitute in their opening league match against Al Ittihad. Hamad replaced Ahmed Sherif in the 79th minute of a game that finished 0-0.

The midfielder’s progress has also been boosted by his performances for Egypt’s youth national teams. He helped Egypt’s youth side win the North Africa Championship after a 7-1 victory over Libya in the final.

Hamad scored twice against Libya in that match and played a role in securing Egypt’s qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations for youth teams. The campaign also paved the way for Egypt to compete at the Under-17 World Cup in Qatar.

He is part of a promising generation of Egyptian players that includes Barcelona forward Hamza Abdelkarim and Bilal Attia, who is on loan from Al Ahly at Spanish club Racing Santander.

The Benfica training spell will give Hamad the chance to work within the Portuguese club’s environment for one week, following Zamalek’s decision to approve the arrangement. It comes after his progression from youth international football into the first-team setup at the Cairo club.

Zamalek remain the club listed as Hamad’s current team, while his recent appearances for the senior side have added to the interest surrounding his development. His substitute appearance against Al Ittihad was his first reported involvement with the first team in the new league campaign.

Hamad’s performances with Egypt have been central to his rise. After helping secure the North Africa title, he contributed to the team’s route towards the Africa Cup of Nations for youth teams and the Under-17 World Cup in Qatar.

His links with the current Egypt youth generation also place him alongside players already developing abroad. Hamza Abdelkarim is with Barcelona, while Attia is gaining experience in Spain during his loan spell at Racing Santander.

The week in Portugal will therefore represent the latest stage in Hamad’s rapid progress, following his emergence with Egypt’s youth teams and his promotion to Zamalek’s senior squad.