“I have followed all his games at Barcelona”

Any time now, Mohamed Salah will issue an announcement revealing that he abdicates as Prince of Egypt. Until now, Omar Marmoush He has not finished taking the step to collect his ‘crown’. But, from behind, he comes pressing a Hamza Abdelkarim (Cairo, Egypt, 2008) that is already ‘tied’ by him Barcelona.

Its evolution in the last year has followed an exponential pace. Back in the month of November, he was contesting the U17 World Cup with Egypt disputed in Qatarscoring two goals and providing one assist in four games. After becoming the youngest debutant in Al Ahly in all the 21st centuryhe Barcelona went ahead to Feyenoord to incorporate him on loan in February. They wanted to keep him under control and watch him closely.

He made his debut in March and barely had time to play 11 games… in which he was able to score six goals: four in Honor Division and another two in Champions Cup. He has made a difference from his position to play with his back and win at the penalty spot. You don’t think twice when drawing and it has a tremendously striking variety of finishes.

We are planning the preseason and considering the option of bringing new faces from La Masía

Hansi Flick, Barcelona coach

“We have to wait. We are planning the preseason and considering the option of bringing in new faces from The Masia“he acknowledged Hansi Flick in one of the last press conferences of the season in reference to the figure of Hamza Abdelkarim. Of course, without Robert Lewandowski and waiting to sign another ‘9’ to fill his hole in the squad, a golden opportunity has opened up for him to try himself with the first team. Whatever may happen, they have already executed their purchase worth 1.5 million.

What was not in the plans Hamza Abdelkarim is that, in the absence of pure references, Hossam Hassan summoned him when he was barely 18 years old to dispute the World Cup with Egypt. “The feeling is great. I’m ready and excited. I can’t wait to debut,” he confessed. “We have seen many things that we like: his personality, technical abilities, ambition… He was already above his level with the youth teams. I followed him in the U17 World Cup and I have seen all his games in the Barcelona“said the coach of the ‘Pharaohs’.

It was not a shot in the air by any means. And, after making his debut against Russia and give him minutes against Brazil in the preparatory friendlies, his pulse did not tremble to give him the alternative in the debut against Belgium. Salahin a representative change of generation, handed him his baton with 15′ left to charge the area after conceding the tying goal: he touched nine balls, won 2/3 aerial duels… and looked for his own trying to attack a lateral center.

He was unable to round out his debut by scoring the winning goal. Now, what no one can take away from him is the milestone of having become the youngest player to participate in a World Cup representing Egypt. “We wanted the three points, but we gave everything until the end. Now, we focus on the next game,” he said after the clash. The new one continues to take steps forward ‘Pharaoh’ of the Barcelona.