Barcelona prospect Hamza Abdelkarim leaves Spain
Administrative delay puts debut on hold: Hamza Abdelkarim returns to Egypt
Young Egyptian striker Hamza Abdelkarim returned to Egypt to accelerate his work permit process before his official debut with Barcelona Atlètic.
Why Hamza Abdelkarim left Spain
Barcelona prospect Hamza Abdelkarim has temporarily returned to Egypt as part of efforts to speed up administrative procedures related to his work permit.
According to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, the 18 year-old striker left Spain after delays in the bureaucratic process prevented his official registration and match participation with Barcelona Atlètic.
As a result, Abdelkarim is currently unable to play competitive matches, with his debut date remaining unclear until the permit is fully approved.
Registration still on hold
The report explained that Abdelkarim’s situation depends entirely on the completion of the work permit which is mandatory requirement before he can take part in official competitions.
Barcelona faced similar cases in the past where players were required to return to their home countries to complete paperwork more quickly.
This step is seen as practical solution to avoid further delays.
Despite the setback, the club remains calm about the situation and continues to follow the process closely.
Positive first impressions in training
Before leaving Spain, Abdelkarim already started training with Barcelona Atlètic and made positive impression on the coaching staff.
However reports noted that he still needs time to improve his physical condition before being fully ready for match action.
The Egyptian forward is viewed as a long-term project, with the club focusing on gradual development rather than rushing his debut.
Youth team option remains open
Barcelona are also considering temporary registration with the youth team if the work permit process takes longer than expected.
This option would allow Abdelkarim to gain match experience and adapt to the club’s playing style while waiting for clearance.
Such a move would follow familiar path previously used by the club with other young talents before later promoting them to the reserve team once administrative issues were resolved.