Hamza Abdelkarim’s impressive performance against Birmingham City was more than just a successful friendly appearance at the start of Barcelona’s preparations for the new season. It appeared to be another step toward the young Egyptian striker’s dream of earning a place in the first team. After scoring an eye-catching brace, receiving widespread praise from the Spanish media, and gaining the confidence of head coach Hansi Flick, Hamza is now approaching a particularly meaningful occasion: facing his former club, Al Ahly, while wearing the Barcelona shirt.

Hamza stole the spotlight during the friendly match, which ended in a 2-2 draw before Birmingham secured victory on penalties. The Egyptian forward scored both of Barcelona’s goals, showcasing his ability to capitalize on opportunities and make intelligent movements inside the penalty area, while emerging as one of the standout surprises of the club’s pre-season camp.

From Birmingham to Al Ahly

The upcoming match against Al Ahly adds a new dimension to Hamza’s story. Having moved from the Egyptian giants to Barcelona, the young striker has quickly begun to make his mark within the Catalan club.

Barcelona and Al Ahly are scheduled to meet on August 19 in the Joan Gamper Trophy at Camp Nou, in a match that could see Hamza face his former team for the first time since moving to Spain.

The encounter carries special significance for the young player, not only because he will be facing the club where his journey began, but also because it could offer him another opportunity to convince Flick that he is ready to compete for a place in the first team ahead of the new season.

Following his participation with Egypt at the World Cup, Hamza chose to cut short his break and join Barcelona’s preparations immediately. That decision now appears to be paying off, as he made the most of his opportunity against Birmingham and delivered a memorable performance.

Flick’s Praise and Growing Competition

Hamza’s display did not go unnoticed by the Spanish press, which highlighted his movement, positioning, and confidence in front of goal. Several reports suggested that the Egyptian striker could offer Barcelona a different option in attack.

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He also received praise from Hansi Flick, who emphasized his ability to identify spaces and position himself effectively inside the penalty area—qualities that could strengthen his chances of remaining in the first-team picture.

Hamza’s rise came at a time when new signing Karim Adeyemi struggled to make the desired impact in his first appearance for Barcelona. Flick expressed dissatisfaction with several aspects of the German forward’s performance, while also stressing that it was only his first match in the club’s colors.

The contrast between the two performances increased the attention surrounding Hamza, who seized his opportunity, while some of his competitors will now be under greater pressure to respond in the upcoming matches.

With Barcelona continuing to search for a striker capable of making a strong presence inside the penalty area, Hamza could be given more opportunities to prove himself. He also demonstrated considerable confidence during the match, including when he converted a penalty that he had won himself.

A Light-Hearted Moment

At the end of his memorable night, Hamza showed another side of his personality during his post-match interview. While speaking in English about his dream of remaining with the first team, his answer was unexpectedly interrupted by the stadium’s loudspeakers at St Andrew’s.

Hamza paused briefly before responding with a sarcastic smile and asking the journalist to repeat the question, adding a light-hearted moment to the interview. He may not have expected the stadium speakers to become part of his first major night with Barcelona, but the incident provided an amusing ending to a performance that could open a new chapter in his career.

As Hamza Abdelkarim continues to build momentum at Barcelona, Egyptian fans are now eagerly awaiting his emotional reunion with Al Ahly—the club where his football journey began. The Joan Gamper Trophy could provide another opportunity for the young forward to prove that his breakthrough against Birmingham was only the beginning.