Barcelona Makes Key Decision on Hamza Abdelkarim After His Explosive Preseason

Hamza Abdelkarim impressed Hansi Flick during preseason, and Barcelona has taken the next step: the Egyptian forward has been registered with the first team and will wear the No. 29 shirt.

Barça Makes Key Decision on Hamza Abdelkarim After His Explosive Preseason

Barcelona has made an important decision regarding one of its biggest prospects for the future. Hamza Abdelkarim, an 18-year-old Egyptian forward, has officially been registered with the first team after impressing during preseason and now appears on the Blaugrana squad list wearing the No. 29 shirt.

Abdelkarim, who joined from Al Ahly in January, scored four goals during the preseason friendlies, performances that were enough to catch the attention of Hansi Flick.

According to the information provided and the official squad list published by LaLiga, the young Egyptian is now part of the first team.

Hamza Abdelkarim Is More Than Just a Prospect

Just six months after arriving in Barcelona, the forward has already earned a place in the first-team squad, a rapid rise that reflects the confidence the club is placing in him.

His preseason performances were decisive. The four goals he scored helped him move beyond being viewed solely as an academy prospect and begin to emerge as a genuine attacking option.

Flick Has a Player He Can Develop

The decision to register Abdelkarim with the first team also represents an opportunity for Hansi Flick. The German coach will have the chance to work directly with a player who is still at a very early stage of his development. The Catalan side has enough attacking talent to prevent all the responsibility from immediately falling on the Egyptian's shoulders.

Abdelkarim will have to prove that he can compete physically, press effectively, link up with his teammates and remain focused when scoring opportunities are limited.

The No. 29 Shirt Opens a New Chapter for the Egyptian

The inclusion of Hamza Abdelkarim with the No. 29 shirt on LaLiga's official squad list makes his rise much more concrete. The forward was even on the bench during Barcelona vs. Elche, the team's opening league match, which ended in a commanding 5-0 victory for the Blaugrana.

In addition, Abdelkarim arrives with international experience despite his young age. The forward was part of the Egypt national team at the 2026 World Cup, where his country reached the Round of 16 before being eliminated by Argentina.