Barcelona are facing a growing question over Hamza Abdelkarim’s development, with SPORT reporting internal debate at the club over the Egyptian youngster’s lack of playing time under Hansi Flick.
The 18-year-old has made little progress in terms of first-team minutes despite training alongside Barcelona’s senior players.
After featuring for just 12 minutes across 10 official matches, the forward could benefit from a temporary step down to Barça Atlètic, where regular football would help him adapt to the club’s system and maintain his competitive rhythm.
Importantly, Abdelkarim is understood to be open to that possibility, as his priority is to play, and his willingness to accept a role with the reserve side has been viewed positively within the club.
Abdelkarim’s Barcelona minutes raise concerns
Abdelkarim has received only two brief opportunities in official competition so far, playing four minutes against Rayo Vallecano and eight against Getafe.
He has yet to play in a meaningful first-team role, leaving questions about how Barcelona intend to manage his development.
Now, the Galatasaray fixture offered a potential opening, as Raphinha was unavailable, while Gabriel Jesus had featured against Getafe, but Flick opted to use Dani Olmo as a false nine instead.
Hamza Abdelkarim has played just 12 minutes under Flick this season. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Although Barcelona eventually secured a 4-1 victory, the decision meant Abdelkarim remained on the sidelines.
Olmo’s individual performance also left room for debate over whether a different attacking option could have been considered.
As a result of these events, the discussion inside Barcelona centres on the need to ensure the teenager receives enough football at a crucial stage of his development.
Having arrived in the first-team environment, he has not yet gained experience with Barça Atlètic, despite being registered with the reserve team.
Abdelkarim open to dropping down to Barça Atlètic
One factor working in the Egyptian’s favour is his attitude towards playing for Barcelona’s reserve side.
When signing a contract extension until 30 June 2030, Abdelkarim made it clear that he would not be “ashamed” of stepping down to Barça Atlètic if it helped him play regularly.
He also stressed that his priority was to play, whether that meant representing Barcelona’s first team, the reserve side or the Egyptian national team.
Hamza Abdelkarim is open to playing for Barça Atlètic. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images)
That approach has been welcomed by the club, even though some young players can view a move to the reserve team as a step backwards.
Abdelkarim, however, appears to understand that regular competitive football matters more than the status attached to a particular squad.
Flick must find a solution for the Egyptian
Flick continues to keep Abdelkarim in mind and likes what he has seen from the youngster in training.
However, competition for places and the depth of Barcelona’s attacking options have made first-team opportunities difficult to secure.
Training with established stars can accelerate a young player’s development, but it cannot fully replace the experience of competing regularly in matches.
Barcelona must therefore find the right balance between exposing Abdelkarim to the senior environment and ensuring he continues to progress on the pitch.