According to a report by Barca Universal on Wednesday November 4, 2026, Barcelona youngster Hamza Abdelkarim has received a major recognition after being nominated for the 2026 CAF Young Player of the Year award.

The 18-year-old Egyptian forward has been included in the final 10-man shortlist alongside several promising talents, including Manchester City prospect Ayyoub Bouaddi.

The nomination highlights the teenager’s impressive development since joining Barcelona earlier this year. Abdelkarim initially arrived at the Catalan club in February on a loan agreement from Egyptian giants Al-Ahly. He quickly made an impression with the Juvenil A Under-19 team during the second half of last season.

The young striker scored six goals in nine league appearances, convincing Barcelona to activate the permanent purchase option included in his loan agreement. His progress also earned him recognition at international level after making his debut for Egypt and representing his country at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Following his permanent arrival, Abdelkarim was brought into Hansi Flick’s first-team setup. He also impressed during pre-season, finding the back of the net four times. However, opportunities have been limited since the beginning of the current campaign.

The Egyptian forward has managed just 12 minutes of first-team football in the 2026/27 season. He has also registered one goal from his only appearance for Barcelona Atletic. Despite his limited playing time, the club continues to hold him in high regard.

Abdelkarim will face competition from several exciting young footballers for the continental award. Real Madrid’s Yan Diomande and Manchester City’s Ayyoub Bouaddi are among the nominees. Bayer Leverkusen duo Ibrahim Maza and Christian Kofane have also made the shortlist.

Other contenders include Christ Inao, Caleb Yirenkyi, Ismael Kamissoko, Abdellah Ouazane and Aston Villa’s Ibrahim Mbaye. The nomination represents another important milestone in Abdelkarim’s young career.