Barcelona teenage prodigy makes his case for a place in Hansi Flick’s squad | OneFootball

While Barcelona continue to search the transfer market for a new centre-forward, Hamza Abdelkarim has reminded everyone that the club may already have a promising option within its own ranks.

The 18-year-old Egyptian delivered an outstanding performance in the pre-season friendly against Birmingham City on Friday night, scoring twice in just 60 minutes to strengthen his case for a place in Hansi Flick’s first-team squad.

With Barcelona still pursuing a new striker and uncertainty surrounding targets such as Julian Alvarez, Hamza seized the opportunity to show that he deserves serious consideration.

Barcelona’s faith in Hamza

Barcelona had already shown their faith in the striker by making his move from Al Ahly permanent following a successful loan spell with the club’s Under-19 side during the second half of the last season.

The Catalans believe the teenager possesses enormous potential, and his latest display only reinforced that belief.

Making an impression. (Photo courtesy: FC Barcelona official website)

After Barcelona struggled to create clear opportunities during the opening stages, Hamza stepped forward to change the game.

Having won a penalty himself, the Egyptian confidently converted it with a powerful left-footed strike, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to score his first goal for Barcelona’s senior side.

Hamza doubled his tally shortly after the restart. When Roony Bardghji’s looping effort was parried into the penalty area by Birmingham’s goalkeeper, the young striker reacted quickest, pouncing on the rebound to fire home the equaliser.

It was the finish of a natural penalty-box striker, highlighting the instinct that has made him one of Barcelona’s most exciting attacking prospects.

An all-round centre-forward performance

Hamza’s contribution went well beyond his goals.

Despite facing two experienced central defenders, he competed physically throughout the match, pressed aggressively, committed tactical fouls when necessary to stop counterattacks, and occasionally drifted wide to combine with teammates, including Shane Kluivert.

Hamza has enjoyed an eventful past few months. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

His work rate and movement reflected the qualities Flick expects from his centre-forwards.

Building momentum

Last season, Hamza scored six goals in ten appearances for Barcelona’s Under-19 team.

After representing Egypt at the World Cup, he chose to cut short his holiday in order to report early for pre-season and impress Flick.

Now, with two goals in his first significant first-team outing of pre-season, he has taken another important step in his development.

Whether Barcelona ultimately sign another striker or not, Hamza’s performance has ensured that Flick now has another genuine attacking option to consider as preparations for the new season continue.