Lamine Yamal backs Hamza Abdelkarim to become ‘excellent player’ at Barcelona

Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal has backed Hamza Abdelkarim to succeed at the club, advising the Egypt international striker to remain calm and patient as he adapts to life in La Liga.

Abdelkarim completed a permanent switch to Barcelona during the summer transfer window and has been integrated into the senior squad over the opening weeks of the campaign, making an appearance off the bench in the victory over Rayo Vallecano. Following his arrival, the Catalan club moved to secure his long-term future with a new contract running until 2030 featuring an increased buyout clause.

Speaking to On Sport, Yamal shared his perspective on what the forward needs during his initial period in Catalunya, highlighting his natural goalscoring instincts and versatility.

“We have all seen it; he is a striker who scores a lot of goals. He will benefit from the time he plays at Barcelona. He is a very adaptable player. We make a great team. We always try to make him feel comfortable,” Yamal said.

“Let him stay calm and safe when he plays. The most important thing is that you stay calm and focused, and you will have plenty of time. No one will ask you for anything, and no one will blame you for anything. You’ll need time to adjust, and that’s normal.”

Yamal acknowledged the challenges of adapting to a new league and environment, reassuring his teammate that success will follow naturally with time.

“We’ve all been there. He comes from another league and from another country. You just need to stay calm and collected. We all know his great level and that he is a prolific goalscorer. Everything will come in due time. So I advise you to stay calm and focused. He will become an excellent player,” Yamal added.