Lamine Yamal Backs Hamza Abdelkarim for Camp Nou Success
FC Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal has spoken highly of young Egyptian striker Hamza Abdelkarim, advising the teenager to remain calm and patient as he adapts to the club.
Praise for Natural Goalscoring Instincts
Yamal spoke with On Sport to discuss Abdelkarim’s integration into the Barcelona setup. The Spanish winger emphasized that the Egyptian forward possesses natural goalscoring instincts and the necessary versatility to thrive.
“He’s a player with a brilliant future ahead of him. He’s still young and has all the qualities to become a great striker. I think he’ll make the most of his time at the club and score plenty of goals,” Yamal told On Sport.
Urging Patience Amid the Transition to Spain
Abdelkarim arrived in Spain following a transition from a different league and country. Yamal stressed that the squad is working to make the youngster feel at home while urging supporters and observers to temper immediate expectations.
“He needs to stay calm and confident when he plays. The most important thing is that he stays calm and focused, and he’ll have plenty of time. No one will ask anything of him, nor will anyone blame him for anything,” Yamal added. “He’ll need time to settle in, and that’s normal. We’ve all been through this.”
Drawing Parallels to Mohamed Salah
“Salah is a truly great and important player, and he’s one of the best African players in the English Premier League. Hamza is a player who has the skills and ability to achieve that, and I hope he becomes a football legend in Egypt,” Yamal stated.
La Masia Pathways and Record-Breaking Form
The endorsement comes as Barcelona continues to integrate young prospects into both its youth ranks and first-team environment.
Yamal himself advanced rapidly through La Masia after joining the club at age 7, making his senior debut under Xavi Hernández in April 2023 at 15 years and nine months old. Under Hansi Flick during the 2024/25 campaign, Yamal secured a domestic treble, scored 18 goals, provided 21 assists, and collected the Kopa Trophy for best under-23 player at the Ballon d’Or gala in Paris.
Global Ambitions and African Representation
During the same interview, Yamal addressed the Ballon d’Or race and the growing representation of African players among global football elites. While maintaining that individual ambition drives players to compete for top honors, the Barcelona winger emphasized that ability overrides nationality.
“It’s certainly a possibility. We all play to win, whether it’s as a team or individually, such as the Ballon d’Or. I think it’s a source of pride for all of us, the players from African countries; we feel proud when we see African players on the podium or on the shortlist,” Yamal said. “I hope there will be more and more of them, but I believe that what matters is not nationality, but talent.”
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