Barça’s patient blueprint to nurture Hamza Abdel Karim
6 March 2026
Barça grants Hamza Abdel Karim training clearance
The young Egyptian striker Hamza Abdel Karim has officially received clearance to train with Barcelona after lengthy work-permit delays, as the club vets the paperwork and ensures his eligibility.
Strategic development plan for the teenager
On Friday, the club hosted his first session at 18, and he will start with Juvenil A (Under-19) under coach Pol Planas, a move designed to shield him from early pressures.
Mundo Deportivo denied reports that he had already linked with the first team or Barça Atlètic.
Barcelona reportedly plans to keep him out of the spotlight for now.
A few minutes with the reserve side could come in an occasional Catalan Cup final, but it is not expected in the opening phase.
The gradual approach follows administrative delays that forced him back to Egypt to finish paperwork.
Barça says the priority is acclimating to the club's philosophy and La Masia's atmosphere, building fitness and experience step by step.
Hamza Abdel Karim — the first Egyptian to join Barça — is viewed as a promising talent, but the club remains cautious.
The club's academy, La Masia, is famed for turning raw talent into steady progress.
Punchline 1: If patience were a position, Hamza would be starting for Barça by now.
Punchline 2: Rome wasn't built in a day, and apparently neither is Barça's starting XI.
