According to a report by Barca Universal on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is facing criticism in Egypt over the lack of first-team opportunities for young striker Hamza Abdelkarim, despite his impressive performances during pre-season.

The Egyptian forward attracted attention after scoring four goals during Barcelona’s pre-season preparations, raising expectations that he could feature more regularly for the senior team during the 2026/27 season. However, he has returned to Barça Atlètic, the club’s reserve team, where he is expected to gain more experience and continue developing through regular playing time.

Abdelkarim’s situation has sparked debate among Egyptian fans and media outlets, with questions being raised about whether Flick is giving the youngster enough opportunities to progress. Reports indicate that Al Jazeera examined whether his return to the reserve team represents a setback or a necessary step in his development. Regular football with Barça Atlètic could prove more beneficial than remaining with the senior squad without receiving meaningful minutes.

Despite his promising pre-season performances, breaking into Barcelona’s first team remains difficult because of the competition for attacking positions. Flick must balance the development of young players with the pressure of competing in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League. As a result, impressive displays in friendly matches do not automatically guarantee opportunities during the competitive season.

The debate over Flick’s treatment of Abdelkarim has also attracted attention in previous weeks. In early September, Goal Arabia published an article titled “Flick isn’t targeting Hamza Abdelkarim,” in which journalist Ali Rifat questioned the criticism directed at the Barcelona manager by some Egyptian supporters. Rifat called for patience, arguing that the young striker should be given enough time to develop rather than being expected to establish himself immediately in the senior team.

Meanwhile, Barcelona’s reported long-term plans for Abdelkarim suggest that the club remain confident in his potential. The Catalan side have reportedly extended his contract until 2030 and increased his release clause to €150 million, highlighting their desire to secure his future.

Although these contractual arrangements do not guarantee an immediate promotion to the first team, they indicate that Barcelona consider the Egyptian forward an important prospect worth retaining as he continues his development.

There have also been encouraging signs in recent weeks, as Abdelkarim recently scored for Barça Atlètic before being included in the travelling squad for the European trip to face Paris Saint-Germain. His inclusion suggests that he remains on the club’s radar, despite his limited opportunities with the senior side.

The striker’s immediate priority is to make the most of his chances with the reserve team, maintain consistent performances and prove that he is ready to take the next step in his career. Continued improvement could help him catch Flick’s attention and increase his chances of earning first-team opportunities in the future.

For now, Barcelona appear willing to allow Abdelkarim to develop gradually rather than rush his promotion. Nevertheless, the debate among Egyptian supporters is likely to continue as they wait to see whether the promising young striker can establish himself in the senior team.