German manager Hansi Flick has addressed the growing debate surrounding young Egyptian striker Hamza Abdelkarim after the forward missed Barcelona’s first two La Liga matches, confirming that his absence does not mean his level has dropped or that he has been removed from the coaching staff’s plans. ⚽🔵🔴
Flick’s comments provide an important psychological boost for the Egyptian striker, particularly after he produced impressive performances during pre-season and scored several goals, making him a player who quickly attracted the attention of supporters waiting to see him in competitive action.
Barcelona are preparing to play their third La Liga match of the 2026-2027 season when they host Rayo Vallecano on Monday at Spotify Camp Nou, with the Catalan side looking to maintain their perfect start and secure a third consecutive victory. 🔥
Barcelona Begin the Season With a Perfect Record
Barcelona collected maximum points from their opening two La Liga matches after defeating Elche and Athletic Bilbao, making an early statement of their desire to compete strongly for the league title.
Rayo Vallecano, meanwhile, enter the match searching for their first victory after losing to Sevilla and drawing with Alaves in their opening two fixtures.
Barcelona’s strong start creates different pressures for Flick, who must maintain positive results while gradually giving opportunities to players waiting for their chance, including Hamza Abdelkarim. ⭐
Hamza Abdelkarim.. Pre-Season Top Scorer Waits for His Chance
Despite not appearing in the first two matches, Hamza Abdelkarim has remained a major topic among Barcelona supporters, particularly after his impressive performances during the club’s pre-season preparations.
The Egyptian striker produced several strong displays during the preparation period and scored multiple goals while showing notable attacking qualities that led supporters to ask when he would finally make his competitive debut with the first team.
His performances raised expectations that he could receive an early opportunity in La Liga, but his absence from the opening two games led to questions about why he had not yet been selected.
Flick Denies There Is a Problem With the Player
Hansi Flick’s comments provided a different explanation for Hamza Abdelkarim’s absence after the German coach confirmed that the player’s lack of appearances does not indicate a problem with his level or a lack of confidence in his abilities.
Flick praised what the Egyptian striker has been doing in training and explained that his level is improving continuously from one day to the next.
The comments send an important message to both Hamza and the supporters: missing the opening matches is not a final judgment on his ability or his place within the squad. 🇪🇬🔥
Flick: It Is Difficult to Give Everyone a Chance
Flick explained that competition within Barcelona’s squad makes it difficult to give every player regular minutes, particularly with several attacking players capable of performing in different positions.
The coaching staff must select the most suitable lineup for each match based on the opponent and the manager’s tactical vision. This means some players may have to wait for their opportunities despite producing strong performances in training or friendly games.
From this perspective, Hamza’s absence from the first two matches does not mean he has been removed from consideration, but rather reflects the intense competition for places in one of Barcelona’s strongest areas.
Flick Confirms Hamza Deserves an Opportunity
The German manager did not limit himself to praising Hamza Abdelkarim’s level, but also confirmed that the striker deserves a chance to feature for the team.
Flick highlighted the player’s ability to score goals and praised his mentality and sporting attitude, while expressing the coaching staff’s desire to give him opportunities to demonstrate his qualities.
These comments were among the most significant points from the press conference because they confirm that the Egyptian striker remains part of the manager’s plans and that his appearance is more a question of timing than a judgment on his ability.
Why Has Hamza Not Played Yet?
Flick did not provide a detailed explanation for Hamza’s omission from the first two matches, but he framed the situation around the intense competition within the squad and the difficulty of giving every player the minutes they deserve in every match.
The coaching staff appear to be relying on a group of attacking options during the early stages of the season to provide greater stability while keeping other players available for situations that require changes.
The nature of each match and the tactical demands of every opponent can also influence the starting lineup and substitutes, meaning Hamza’s opportunity could arrive at any moment.
Raphinha Provides Strong Competition
One factor influencing Flick’s tactical thinking is his use of Raphinha as a central striker in certain situations.
Flick explained that the Brazilian star possesses qualities that allow him to operate in that role, particularly his attacking pressing, movement and dynamism, as well as his ability to score and create danger.
The German coach believes Raphinha can make an important contribution in the position, giving him an advantage in certain tactical situations. ⭐
Where Does Hamza Stand in Flick’s Plans?
Despite Raphinha and several other attacking options, Flick has not closed the door on using different players as central strikers.
This gives Hamza Abdelkarim genuine hope of receiving an opportunity in the coming period, particularly because the manager does not consider the central striker position permanently reserved for one player.
Hamza’s task is to continue working hard in training and maintain the level he showed during pre-season so that he is ready when his opportunity arrives.
A Strong Start Does Not End the Competition
Barcelona’s six points from their opening two matches do not mean Flick has completely settled on every selection, because the season is still long and upcoming matches will inevitably require changes.
As fixtures accumulate, Flick will need to rotate his squad and maintain the readiness of his players, potentially giving the Egyptian striker an opportunity to make his mark.
Hamza’s first appearance could become an important turning point in his career, particularly if he makes effective use of the minutes he receives.
Rayo Vallecano Could Provide an Opportunity
The upcoming match against Rayo Vallecano remains one potential opportunity for Hamza Abdelkarim to make his appearance, particularly as Flick looks to manage his squad and distribute playing time.
The final decision, however, will depend on the manager’s assessment and tactical plans for the match, as well as the player’s readiness at the time of the fixture.
Whatever happens, Flick’s comments have made it clear that Hamza remains in consideration and that the door is open for him to receive the right opportunity.
Supporters Await His First Appearance
Hamza Abdelkarim has become one of the young names attracting significant attention from Egyptian supporters following his strong pre-season performances with Barcelona.
Fans are waiting to see the striker on the pitch in an official match to determine whether he can translate the qualities he displayed during friendlies into strong performances at the highest competitive level.
✨ Between his impressive pre-season form, Flick’s confidence in his abilities and the intense competition within Barcelona’s attack, Hamza Abdelkarim faces a clear challenge: wait for his opportunity and then make the most of it.
📢 Do you expect Hamza Abdelkarim to receive an opportunity against Rayo Vallecano? Can the Egyptian striker gradually establish himself in Hansi Flick’s plans? Share your prediction in the comments. 🇪🇬⚽🔥
