Egyptian football fans are eagerly anticipating the upcoming match between FC Barcelona and Elche this Sunday, as part of the Spanish La Liga competition, in a game that will be highlighted by the talented Hamza Abdel Karim.
Hamza Abdel Karim has drawn significant attention over the past period due to his outstanding performances during Barcelona's pre-season training, earning immense praise.
Hamza Abdel Karim cut short his summer vacation following his participation with the Egyptian national team in the World Cup, after being called up by Barcelona's coach, Hans Flick, to join the first team during pre-season preparations for the newly started season.
Hamza Abdel Karim did not disappoint Flick's trust; the 18-year-old managed to score four goals during pre-season training with Barcelona, the latest being a goal against his former club Al-Ahly last week in the Joan Gamper Trophy friendly match, contributing to Barcelona's 2-1 victory.
Hamza Abdel Karim is now poised to make history, as numerous media reports indicate that the Egyptian international will be included in Barcelona's squad for the Elche match, and might even be deployed as a starter.
Hamza Abdel Karim aims to replicate a historic achievement by Egyptian players in La Liga, a feat currently held solely by Ahmed Hossam Mido, the former Zamalek star.
Mido played in La Liga with Celta Vigo on loan from Ajax Amsterdam for six months in 2003, appearing in 8 matches for the Spanish club and scoring 4 goals.
Mido remains the only Egyptian player to have scored a goal in his debut La Liga appearance, which came against Athletic Bilbao, in a match that ended with Celta Vigo winning 2-1.
Mido played 8 matches for Celta Vigo, scoring four goals for the Spanish team.
If Hamza Abdel Karim plays against Elche tomorrow, he will become the third Egyptian player to participate in La Liga, following Ahmed Hossam Mido and Haitham Hassan respectively.
Previously, four Egyptian players transferred to Spanish clubs: Ahmed Hossam Mido, Amr Tarek, Haitham Hassan, and Omar Sayed Mowad.
The number of Egyptian players moving to Spanish clubs has risen to six, following Hamza Abdel Karim's transfer to Barcelona in January of this year, and subsequently, another Al-Ahly talent, Bilal Atia, signing with Racing Santander.
Bilal Atia has not yet been promoted to Racing Santander's first team, as the young playmaker currently plays with their second team.
Although four Egyptian players transferred to Spanish clubs, only Ahmed Hossam Mido and Haitham Hassan have actually participated in La Liga matches.
Amr Tarek joined Real Betis in 2015 from El Gouna at the time for €300,000, but the defender, now 34 years old, did not play any match for the Andalusian team. He was subsequently loaned to Columbus Crew in January 2016, then terminated his contract mutually with Betis and returned to the Egyptian league via ENPPI.
As for Omar Sayed Mowad, he signed with Real Betis during the winter transfer window in January 2025, coming from Al-Ahly after the deal had been stalled for over two years due to the player suffering an ACL injury. However, the player suffered another ACL injury and left the Spanish club without playing any match, before returning to Al-Ahly.
Haitham Hassan is considered the second Egyptian player to have played in La Liga, representing Villarreal and Real Oviedo in the domestic competition, before departing this summer to sign with Celtic.
