Al-Ahli striker Hamza Abdelkarim's injury and the status of Barcelona negotiations
Al Ahly's coaching staff suffered a major blow with the injury of their young striker and rising star, Hamza Abdelkarim, during the team's match against Al Mokawloon Al Arab on Tuesday in the "Cairo Cup" tournament. This injury comes at a particularly critical time, coinciding with persistent reports that the player is close to embarking on a professional career in the Spanish league.
Diagnosis of the injury and rapid medical intervention
In detailing the incident, Dr. Ahmed Gaballah, the Al Ahly first team doctor, revealed the nature of the player's injury, explaining that Hamza Abdelkarim complained of severe pain in his foot and ankle. The initial medical report indicated that this pain resulted from a strong bruise sustained during a collision in the match, prompting the medical staff to immediately substitute him before the end of the first half as a precautionary measure to prevent the injury from worsening or causing complications that could sideline him for an extended period.
Barcelona are watching closely... Will the deal fall through?
This injury is particularly significant given the context in which it occurred, as FC Barcelona has recently intensified its serious negotiations with Al Ahly's management to secure the services of Hamza Abdelkarim during the upcoming winter transfer window. The Catalan club's management is seeking to bolster its reserve team (Barça Atlètic), which is suffering from a clear shortage of players and significant absences in its attacking line, making the young Egyptian striker a prime target to strengthen the Blaugrana's youth team's attacking capabilities.
Talent scouting strategy and the impact of injuries
Barcelona's interest in signing Abdelkarim is part of the Spanish club's new strategy of attracting young talent from Africa and developing them within its La Masia academy or reserve team, especially given the economic challenges that necessitate the club seeking smart and cost-effective solutions to secure its future. Injuries to young players often worry European clubs before finalizing deals, as medical examinations are subject to rigorous standards. However, initial reports suggest that the Al Ahly player's injury may not be a long-term obstacle if managed with a suitable treatment program.
International brilliance that caught the attention of European scouts
It's worth noting that Barcelona's interest didn't come out of nowhere, but rather as a result of the outstanding performances Hamza Abdelkareem delivered with the Egyptian U-17 national team. The player was one of the standout performers in the World Cup held last November, where he successfully established his international credentials by scoring two impressive goals against Haiti and Venezuela, making him a target for European club scouts searching for the next "Mohamed Salah" in Egyptian football.
