Zamalek youngster Mohamed Hamad has been handed an early opportunity to impress in Europe after travelling to Portugal for a trial with Benfica.

The 2008-born prospect was invited to spend a week with the Portuguese club, with Zamalek approving the trip after Benfica expressed a strong interest in assessing him in person.

Zamalek sources have stressed that allowing Hamad to join the trial does not mean the club have agreed to sell him or that any transfer deal is already in place. Instead, the Egyptian side viewed the invitation as an opportunity for one of their academy talents to gain experience at a major European club.

Why is Hamad so highly rated?

Zamalek head of football Hazem Emam has made a particularly eye-catching prediction about the teenager, describing him as a player capable of eventually succeeding veteran star Abdallah El Said.

Emam said Hamad can operate as a No. 8 or on the wing, praising his technical ability, goalscoring threat and strength in the air.

He also predicted that the youngster could develop into one of Egypt's best players if given the opportunity to progress.

Hamad has already been introduced to Zamalek's senior side, coming on as a substitute against Al Ittihad in the opening round of the Egyptian Premier League season.

He has also featured regularly at youth international level for Egypt and was part of the generation that competed at the FIFA U17 World Cup after previously impressing in the North African youth championship.

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A trial, not yet a transfer

Hamad's presence at Benfica should not be confused with a completed or imminent transfer.

The current spell is an assessment period, after which Benfica can decide whether they want to take their interest further and potentially open negotiations with Zamalek.

Emam confirmed during the player's stay in Portugal that he remains in regular contact with Hamad as the youngster undergoes his trial.

For a player still at the beginning of his senior career, however, being assessed by a club with Benfica's reputation for developing young talent is already a significant opportunity.

For Zamalek, it may also become another chance to place one of their academy prospects on the European stage.

The trial has opened the door.

The next question is whether Hamad can convince Benfica to take the relationship further.