After several months following Hamza Abdelkarim (18 years old), Barcelona He has already made his incorporation official. The Egyptian striker joins the betting list from Africa (Ibrahim Diarra, Aziz Issah o David Oduro), in addition to the additions of other European talents. Abdelkarim He is a fast forward, in the area, who dominates the aerial game. He turned 18 on January 1 and arrives to reinforce a Athletic Barça which aims to return to the First Federation. On Sunday he saw his teammates’ victory in Terrassa live.
Hamza rose to the first team Al Ahly at 17 years old. He became the second youngest player in the club’s history to debut, only surpassed by Ramadan Sobiwho did it at 16 and played a stage of his career in the Stoke City of the Premier League. Those who know him say that he is a boy who keeps a low profile and that, more than the console, he prefers board games, such as Backgammon. He is a normal boy. He speaks English well and also some Spanish. He is “very motivated” to start training with his new teammates.
Favorite player Abdelkarim era Neymarbut as he grew up he became Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Swede’s conditions are more similar to his than those of the Brazilian. Right now, he is about 185 centimeters. He was born into a family of athletes. Both his father and uncle played in the volleyball section of the Al Ahly and his uncle is currently part of the federation. From them he learned the commitment and habits of the athlete on and off the field.
Hamza with his brother, Youssef, wearing a Barça shirt
“I have known him since he was 14 years old and I have closely followed his development. Over the last three years, his game has become more similar to that of Haaland”explains Abdouwho was his coach in the youth ranks of the Al Ahly. “He is a mix of strength, speed and intelligent finishing. He is a complete striker: he is good in the air, he positions himself well in the area and is capable of scoring a goal from half-time chances,” adds the coach, who left the club. Cairo to take over the position of national under-20 coach.
Hamza Abdelkarim in training with Alaa Abdou, his former coach
At a tactical level, Abdou defines him as a disciplined footballer. When he coached him, he focused on several offensive aspects. “We worked on how to move and receive the ball between the lines, uncheck behind the defense and make sure the movements were correct. Read the game well and work well with your teammates,” says the coach. “Physically, he is fast and strong, which allows him to be aggressive in pressure and decisive in transitions,” he adds.
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Abdou highlights that Hamza He is a footballer who “learns quickly and always wants to improve.” “We spent hours practicing his finishing, his positioning without the ball and making decisions under pressure, we paid special attention to understanding the game. He is intelligent, you give him an order once and he has already learned it,” he says. Abdou. The signing of Hamza for him Barcelona It has appeared in the country’s main media outlets. In the subsidiary, he will compete for minutes with Oscar Gistau or Joaquin Delgadoother additions to this market. The other member, Victor Barberais still in the infirmary and is expected in the spring.
