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Sports
A new wave of Egyptian football talents is making strides in top European clubs, with Hamza Abdel Karim scoring a hat-trick for Barcelona’s youth team.
A hat-trick in just 15 minutes has propelled Egyptian striker Hamza Abdel Karim into the spotlight with Barcelona’s Under-19 side. The 18-year-old scored three goals in the 16th, 27th, and 31st minutes, powering his team to a 9-0 victory over Monte Carlo in the Group 3 youth league, a win that secured the championship title for the Catalan club.
This performance is part of a broader trend of Egyptian talent making its mark across Europe’s top leagues and academies. The country, long known for producing stars like Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush, is now seeing a younger generation follow in their footsteps, driven by a robust youth development system and growing international confidence in Egyptian players.
Hamza Abdel Karim’s journey with Barcelona’s youth setup exemplifies this rise. His hat-trick, which gave his team a four-goal lead by halftime, was followed by five more goals in the second half, cementing the team’s dominance. The young forward has quickly become a symbol of ambition and hard work, honing his natural talent within one of the world’s most prestigious football academies.
Another promising talent, Bilal Attiya, is on the verge of a professional move to Europe. The young player is close to joining Racing Santander, a Segunda División club in Spain, after the team closely monitored his performances with Egypt’s U-17 national team during the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
An agreement has been reached with Al Ahly for a two-season loan deal without a fee, including a purchase option for Racing Santander. Al Ahly retains certain financial benefits tied to Attiya’s future performance and goal tally. During the U-17 World Cup, Attiya scored one goal and provided an assist, earning the Man of the Match award in a 4-1 victory over Haiti, despite Egypt’s elimination in the Round of 32 after a 3-1 loss to Switzerland.
Attiya previously had trials with Stuttgart and Hannover, where he impressed German media, but contractual details prevented a move to the Bundesliga. Racing Santander secured his signature after scouting him at the youth World Cup.
At Paris Saint-Germain, 18-year-old Ryan Abu al-Nay has been promoted to train with the first team by coach Luis Enrique. Born in France in 2007 to an Egyptian father and an Algerian mother, the attacking midfielder is eligible to represent three national teams.
Abu al-Nay joined the PSG academy in the summer of 2024 from French club Drancy. This season, he has played 29 matches for the U-19 side, contributing to seven goals. In the UEFA Youth League, he scored two goals and provided one assist in nine appearances, earning a promotion to the U-23 team before joining the senior squad’s training sessions. He hopes to follow the path of other Egyptian-origin talents like Haitham Hassan of Real Oviedo.
In Italy, 17-year-old striker Amir Abu al-Ezz is making waves with Monza’s youth sector. Born in 2009 to an Egyptian father and a Ukrainian mother, he has scored 14 goals in the league this season, establishing himself as a key player. He has officially joined Egypt’s U-17 national team for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, with a camp starting on May 13. Abu al-Ezz expressed pride in representing the Pharaohs, while Monza works on a clear plan to integrate him into the first team in the coming years.
Defender Amir Hassan is also gaining recognition with Utrecht’s youth setup in the Netherlands. Known for his composure, strong leadership, and ability to build play from the back, he has become a regular for Egypt’s U-17 national team, born in 2009.
Egyptian striker Karim Ahmed, born in 2007 in Liverpool to an Egyptian family, is emerging as a promising talent at Liverpool’s academy. He can play as a central striker or behind the main forward, and is skilled at moving between lines and creating space. His breakthrough came in late 2022 when he scored two goals on his debut for the U-18 team against Bournemouth in the FA Youth Cup.
Last season, Ahmed scored seven goals and provided five assists across all competitions, also featuring in the UEFA Youth League. He received his first call-up to the Egypt U-20 national team in October 2024, reflecting the growing confidence in his potential.
