Barcelona are reportedly going to activate the purchase option of Hamza Abdelkarim from Al Ahly for a sum of 1.5 million and potentially up to 5 million more in bonuses.
The Spanish club’s spokesperson for media outlets have stated Barcelona have not officially confirmed they are activating it but are more focused on celebrating the U19 title at the moment. However, their intentions are obvious.
And looking back at what has happened over the weekend, it does make sense as to why they are pushing to activate the purchase option.
What he did against Montecarlo
With 3 headers inside 31 minutes during the first half of the Division de Honor Juvenil match between FC Barcelona U19 and UD Montecarlo, Hamza Abdelkarim's side secured a 9-0 victory.
His goals came from corner in the 16th, a rebound off the crossbar at the 27th and a cross from the right in the 31st.
The win saw Barcelona secure top spot in Group 3 of the U19 Divisin de Honor, taking 73 points in total.
Who is Hamza Abdelkarim?
Born on January 1, 2008 Abdelkarim joined the academy of Al Ahly in 2020 before making his senior debut on the 19th of February 2025 in a 2-1 win over Petrojet as he came on as a substitute at the age of 17.
Key details at a glance
- Age: 18
- Height: 182cm
- Nationality: Egyptian
- Position: Centre-forward
- Foot: Both
- Egypt U17 caps: 19, Goals 12
He came to Barcelona's U19s on loan from Al Ahly with a 2 million option to buy. Having first faced problems with bureaucracy then an injury, he eventually showed his talent by announcing his arrival with a hat-trick against Monaco. The 18-year-old already has four headed goals for the Barcelona U19s.
Fit for Flick?
It is obviously too soon to declare Hamza Abdelkarim as Barcelona's number nine for the future but he could be a very interesting piece. Flick needs a centre-forward who can aggressively press, be physical and possess a clinical finishing ability while making few chances.
The aerial ability Abdelkarim possesses is something missing from the current first-team setup at Barcelona. Lewandowski is elite in the air, but his future is unclear at Barcelona. Barcelona do not possess other strikers that dominate aerially.
His physical attributes have been proven. He has shown this with his instinctive headers and both footed ability. But the mental, technical and tactical aspect of his game remain to be seen by La Masia over the next 2-3 years.
The honest assessment
To declare Hamza Abdelkarim as the new number nine for Barcelona would be way too premature. He has four headed goals at the U19 level. Any comparisons to Haaland are fun but unrealistic right now.
What Barcelona have here is a low risk, high reward player. The 1.5 million for Hamza with Al Ahl y retaining 15% on a future sale is a small price to pay. Barcelona are going to put him through the reserves at Barca Athletic first, and if he continues to grow like this, then the club will have acquired their number nine for pennies.
That is La Masia doing what La Masia does best.
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