Ibrahim Hassan, Egypt's national team director, has defended young forward Hamza Abdelkarim amid growing debate over the pressure placed on the player following his Egypt involvement and permanent move to Barcelona.
According to media reports, Hassan called for patience and support rather than rushing to judge the teenager, pointing to Lamine Yamal's early backing at Barcelona and with Spain as an example of how elite talents can develop when trusted.
The discussion comes after Barcelona activated their option to sign Abdelkarim permanently from Al Ahly on a deal running until June 30, 2029, following a loan spell in which he scored six goals in 11 youth-team appearances.
Abdelkarim has also featured for Egypt at the 2026 World Cup, increasing public attention around his next steps as he begins his European career.
No separate official statement has yet detailed Egypt's or Barcelona's next plan for the player, but his development has become one of the major Egyptian football stories of the summer.