Who is Hamza Abdelkarim – Barcelona’s new signing compared to Erling Haaland | OneFootball

Barcelona have strengthened their youth setup with the signing of Hamza Abdelkarim, an 18-year-old forward who has arrived from Al Ahly on loan to join Barça Atletic. 

While the move did not generate major headlines, it has drawn interest among those who closely follow Barcelona’s youth recruitment strategy.

Given that Abdelkarim is still largely unknown to the wider fanbase, a report from Mundo Deportivo has offered valuable insight into the profile of Barcelona’s latest young addition. 

Who is Hamza Abdelkarim?

The Egyptian forward’s footballing inspirations reveal a lot about his playing style and evolution. 

As a child, his favourite player was Neymar, but as he grew older, his admiration shifted towards Zlatan Ibrahimovic, largely due to their similar physical traits. 

Standing at around 185 centimetres, roughly 6 feet, Abdelkarim possesses a frame that naturally lends itself to a powerful, direct style of play.

Interestingly, football was not the only sporting influence in his life, as Abdelkarim comes from a family deeply rooted in professional sport. 

Both his father and uncle played for Al Ahly’s volleyball team, while his uncle currently holds a position within the federation. 

Words from his youth coach

His former youth coach, Alaa Abdou, offered a detailed assessment of the player after closely following his development from a young age. 

Hamza Abdelkarim has signed for Barça Atletic. (Photo courtesy: FC Barcelona official website)

Speaking about Abdelkarim’s evolution, Abdou said, “I’ve known him since he was 14 and have closely followed his development. 

“Over the last three years, his game has become more like Haaland’s.”

The coach went on to describe the forward’s all-round qualities, adding, “He’s a mixture of strength, speed, and intelligent finishing.”

Abdou said that Barcelona are signing a forward with a broad skill set.

“He’s a complete striker: he’s good in the air, positions himself well in the box and is capable of scoring from half a chance.” 

From a tactical perspective, Abdou emphasised the player’s discipline and willingness to learn. 

Reflecting on their time together, he explained, “He reads the game well and works well with his teammates.” 

Perhaps most encouraging for Barcelona is the player’s mindset. Abdou underlined this point clearly, saying Abdelkarim is someone who “learns quickly and always wants to improve.” 

Abdelkarim’s move to Barcelona has already been widely reported across Egyptian media, which shows the expectations surrounding his next step. 

For Barça Atlètic, this is a low-risk but intriguing addition, one that fits perfectly into the club’sapproach of developing young talent with physical presence, tactical awareness, and the hunger to improve.