Hamza Abdulkarim sends timely reminder to Barcelona as Raphinha injury open door | OneFootball

For young forwards at FC Barcelona, progress is rarely linear. Talent can earn attention quickly, but first-team minutes usually depend on timing, injuries and the ability to take advantage when an opportunity finally appears.

Hamza Abdelkarim has spent the opening weeks of the season waiting for exactly that. The 18-year-old impressed Hansi Flick during pre-season but has subsequently found senior opportunities difficult to come by, with Barcelona’s established attackers starting the campaign in excellent form.

His latest international appearance may have come at the right moment. As per beIN Sports, Hamza scored his first senior goal for Egypt in Tuesday’s 5-0 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying victory over South Sudan, needing only a few minutes after coming off the bench to make his mark. It was his eighth appearance for the national team and his first goal at senior international level.

The finish itself was simple but revealing. After the goalkeeper failed to hold Osama Faisal’s effort, Hamza reacted first and converted the rebound from close range and for a striker fighting for minutes, that instinct can prove to be make or break.

Barcelona have so far had little reason to alter their attacking hierarchy. Raphinha has been central to Flick’s plans, while Gabriel Jesus has also added competition through the middle. As a result, Hamza has managed only a brief La Liga appearance despite finishing pre-season as one of Barça’s leading scorers.

An opportunity to showcase his impress?

The picture, however, could be shifting as Raphinha has been released from Brazil duty after scans detected muscular oedema in the back of his right thigh. He is returning to Barcelona for treatment, and the club will assess how much time, if any, he may need on the sidelines.

That does not automatically guarantee Hamza a place in Flick’s starting plans. Barcelona still have several attacking options, and the Egyptian remains at the beginning of his development but opportunities at this level often appear suddenly.

Hamza has now scored for his country, demonstrated his penalty-area instincts and reminded Barcelona of the qualities that earned him a long-term contract in the first place. If Raphinha’s injury forces Flick to reshuffle his attack, the teenager may finally get the chance he has been waiting for.