Barcelona teenage forward sacrifices holidays to join pre-season early and impress Flick

Barcelona teenage forward sacrifices holidays to join pre-season early and impress Flick FC Barcelona starlet Hamza Abdelkarim has already made his first statement ahead of the new season, and it has come off the pitch. According to SPORT , the highly-rated Egyptian striker has chosen to give up his summer holiday after representing Egypt at the 2026 FIFAWorld Cup in order to report for Barcelona’s first-team pre-season on July 13. The decision underlines the ambition of the 18-year-old forward, who is determined to seize every opportunity to convince Hansi Flick that he deserves a place in the senior squad. No time for rest Hamza’s summer has been relentless. After helping Barcelona’s Juvenil A side in the Copa de Campeones , he immediately joined Egypt’s national team for the World Cup, leaving virtually no time for recovery. Following Egypt’s elimination by Argentina in the Round of 16, the striker could have taken a well-earned break. Instead, he has opted to return directly to Barcelona and begin preparations for the new campaign on Monday. Set to start pre-season on Monday. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) The news was revealed by Hamza’s aunt, Mona Abdel Karim, a well-known presenter for Nile Sport. Through her social media channels, she confirmed that the forward would travel to Barcelona on Monday to join the first team’s pre-season training camp. According to her, Hamza made the decision because he does not want to miss a single day of preparation as he looks to earn Flick’s confidence. Valuable World Cup experience Despite being only 18 years old, Hamza featured for Egypt throughout the World Cup, making several appearances from the bench. The tournament further demonstrated the faith the Egyptian Football Federation has in one of the country’s brightest young talents. Following Egypt’s elimination, the entire national team, including Hamza, was welcomed by the country’s president in recognition of their participation. A defining summer Ready to capitalise on his opportunity. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) This pre-season is expected to play a crucial role in Hamza’s development. Flick plans to involve several academy players during the opening weeks of training, giving the young striker an ideal opportunity to prove he belongs in the first-team environment. As previously reported , Barcelona currently do not envision Hamza playing a leading role for Barça Atletic. Instead, the club believes his development will benefit more from remaining close to the senior squad as he offers a different profile. Indeed, the 18-year-old is a traditional center-forward with impressive physical strength, capable of playing with his back to goal, occupying central defenders, and dominating aerial duels. That classic No. 9 role could become an important tactical weapon during the season, particularly in matches that demand a more physical presence in attack. By sacrificing his holidays, Hamza has sent a clear message about his commitment and ambition.