Egyptian teenage striker Hamza Abdelkarim has taken another major step toward Barcelona’s first team, with the 18-year-old registered for the 2026/27 La Liga season and handed the No. 29 shirt following an impressive summer with Hansi Flick’s squad.
La Liga’s official website now lists Abdelkarim as a Barcelona forward wearing No. 29, marking a significant development in the youngster’s rapid rise since arriving in Catalonia from Al Ahly earlier this year.
The move comes after Abdelkarim impressed throughout preseason and earned regular opportunities to train and travel with Barcelona’s senior squad.
Hamza Abdelkarim Takes No. 29 at Barcelona
Abdelkarim’s profile on La Liga’s official website lists the Egyptian as a Barcelona forward for the 2026/27 season, with the teenager assigned shirt number 29.
His inclusion follows a standout preseason in which he scored four goals, strengthening his case for opportunities under Hansi Flick. Reports in Spain and abroad have increasingly identified the Egyptian as one of the academy players closest to gaining regular senior minutes.
Abdelkarim was also included among Barcelona’s substitutes for the club’s 2-0 La Liga victory over Athletic Club on August 27, again wearing No. 29.
However, his status requires some distinction. Barcelona’s official first-team squad page does not currently include Abdelkarim in its permanent list of senior forwards, while the club referred to him as a Barça Atlètic player when announcing the youngsters involved in first-team training on August 29.
The indications are therefore that Abdelkarim remains formally attached to the reserve structure while being increasingly integrated into Flick’s first-team plans.
Four Preseason Goals Put Hamza in the Spotlight
The Egyptian striker forced himself into the conversation with his performances during Barcelona’s summer preparations.
He joined the first-team preseason programme in July and was selected for the squad that travelled to Birmingham for Barcelona’s training camp in England.
Abdelkarim then took advantage of his opportunities in attack, finishing preseason with four goals.
One of his biggest moments came in Barcelona’s Joan Gamper Trophy match against his former club Al Ahly on August 19.
Flick selected Abdelkarim in the starting XI, and the Egyptian opened the scoring as Barcelona went on to beat Al Ahly 2-1 at Spotify Camp Nou.
Scoring against the club where his career began made the occasion particularly significant, but his wider preseason performances appear to have convinced Barcelona that he is capable of competing for senior opportunities.
From Al Ahly to Barcelona in Just Months
Abdelkarim’s rise has been remarkably quick.
Barcelona initially signed him from Al Ahly on loan in February 2026, with an option to purchase him permanently. He became the first Egyptian footballer to join a Barcelona team.
After administrative delays initially prevented him from playing, Abdelkarim eventually made an immediate impact with Barcelona’s U19 side.
He scored six goals in nine league appearances, including a hat-trick in a 9-0 victory over Montecarlo as Barça secured the División de Honor title. He also made two appearances in the Copa del Rey Juvenil.
His performances were enough to convince Barcelona to activate the purchase option.
In June, the Catalan club officially informed Al Ahly that it would sign Abdelkarim permanently and handed the forward a contract running until June 30, 2029.
World Cup Experience at Just 18
Abdelkarim’s emergence has not been limited to club football.
Despite being only 18, the striker was selected by Hossam Hassan for Egypt’s squad at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, having previously represented the country at youth level.
Barcelona described him at the time as one of African football’s brightest young prospects.
His involvement with Egypt’s senior national team gave him valuable experience at the highest international level before returning to Barcelona for preseason.
That combination of youth football success, international exposure and strong performances alongside Barcelona’s established players has accelerated his development considerably.
Hansi Flick Gives Abdelkarim His Chance
Perhaps most importantly for Abdelkarim, Flick has continued to involve him around the senior squad.
The teenager trained throughout preseason with Barcelona’s first team and remained involved once competitive matches began. The opportunities come at a particularly interesting time for Barcelona’s attack, with the club having undergone significant changes at centre-forward during the summer.
Abdelkarim is unlikely to immediately become an established starter, and he can still feature within Barcelona’s development structure, but his inclusion in matchday squads shows that Flick considers him a genuine option when required.
For Egyptian football, his progress also carries added significance. No Egyptian player has previously established himself in Barcelona’s senior side, leaving Abdelkarim with the opportunity to make history if he makes his official first-team debut.
After arriving in Spain as an academy prospect only months ago, Hamza Abdelkarim now has the No. 29 shirt, a place on Barcelona’s La Liga registration and an increasingly visible role around Hansi Flick’s first team.
The next milestone is clear: stepping onto the pitch for his competitive Barcelona debut.
