The Egyptian prodigy Hamza Abdelkarim has truly made his mark with Barcelona, emerging as a strong contender to break into the first team’s plans for the 2026-2027 season.
The 18-year-old striker scored against his boyhood club, Al Ahly, on Wednesday during the Joan Gamper Cup 2026 clash, which saw the Catalan giants clinch a thrilling 2-1 victory.
This eye-catching run of form by the Egyptian starlet has drawn comparisons to the electrifying early career of retired legend Ahmed Hossam Mido, who broke through with Ajax Amsterdam back in 2001 at just 18 years old.
However, the former Pharaohs’ top scorer struggled to maintain his shine, as his performances dipped and he failed to leave a mark at most of his stops across Europe.
Expert Amir Nabil, a broadcaster on Zamalek TV, believes Hamza Abdelkarim must learn from Mido’s turbulent career, as he shared in exclusive comments to Foot Africa.
Undoubtedly, Egypt’s Hamza Abdelkarim, Barcelona’s up-and-coming striker, has firmly established himself as one of the most exciting football talents—both in Egypt and at his new club. His rise has earned him the trust of German coach Hansi Flick, who’s now relying on him as a key player in matches.
Despite his youth, Hamza has gained valuable experience from his involvement with Egypt’s squad at the 2026 World Cup finals. Even with only a handful of minutes on the pitch, he proved he has plenty to offer, showing no signs of stage fright and brimming with self-confidence and belief in his abilities.
Turning professional at a young age is a double-edged sword, especially for Egyptian players. History shows several cases of Egyptians who moved abroad before turning 20: some shone brightly on European soil, while others returned home quickly without leaving a real impact, their experiences passing mostly unnoticed.
Ahmed Hossam 'Mido' stands out as one of the most prominent Egyptians to make the jump to Europe at a young age. At 17, he left Zamalek for Belgium’s Gent in 2000, then launched a European career that included spells with Ajax, Roma, Marseille, and Celta Vigo, with Tottenham Hotspur being his most notable stop.
But without question, Mido made some mistakes that altered the course of his career. He could have lasted longer in Europe rather than returning after just 11 years—chief among his missteps was a lack of stability. While it was understandable that he wanted to prove himself, he represented 10 clubs in that period and was loaned out multiple times, when he should have been cementing his place at one of the clubs where he had already impressed.
Take his time at Celta Vigo, for instance: he scored four goals in eight matches and was tipped to stay, but opted for yet another new challenge. This lack of stability was a glaring flaw in Mido’s journey.
Additionally, some of his choices didn’t work out—joining clubs where he didn’t get regular game time, and his somewhat fiery personality may have sparked issues during his various stints.
Even Mido himself admits things could have gone much better if he’d been more focused. His European farewell was less than ideal: at Barnsley, he struggled with his weight and failed to make any real contribution to the team.
Hamza now has a golden opportunity if he remains patient with Barcelona, especially given Flick’s faith in him. He shouldn’t rush to judge his experience—even if he isn’t handed a major role right away. Impatience or an early exit could derail his career, as his start has been promising and he’s seized most of the chances he’s been given.
Hamza also appears to have a different personality from Mido. He doesn’t seem distracted by the media spotlight like the former star. For instance, he declined media appearances after the World Cup, saying he hadn’t yet achieved anything worth talking about. This points to a professional mindset, greater composure, and a focus on his objectives. If he keeps this up, he could truly make his mark in the game.
Imed Ben Amara - bilingual sports writer and web editor with experience in football content creation. Since 2021, he has contributed to Foot Africa, providing news coverage and analysis.
