Hamza makes history as the first Egyptian to play for Barcelona

Barcelona's Hamza Abdelkarim in action during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano in Barcelona, Spain . (AP)

MADRID, Sept 1: Egyptian youngster Hamza Abdelkarim made history by becoming the first Egyptian to make an official appearance for Barcelona, coming off the bench in the Catalan side’s 5-2 La Liga victory over Rayo Vallecano two days ago.

The 19-year-old entered the match in the 86th minute after starting on the bench. Coach Hansi Flick had included Abdelkarim in the first-team squad for the previous two league games before finally giving him his debut in the closing stages.

Abdelkarim made a strong impression in preseason, scoring four goals, including one against his former club Al Ahly in the Joan Gamper Trophy earlier this month.

Barcelona made his move from Al Ahly permanent in June, exercising its option to sign him and handing him a contract through June 30, 2029. He had scored six goals in 11 appearances for Barcelona’s youth teams since moving to Spain.

The victory kept Barcelona top of La Liga with nine points, level with Real Madrid but ahead on goal difference. Rayo Vallecano remains 18th with no wins from their opening three matches.