Hansi Flick excludes Hamza Abdelkarim from Barcelona training match

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick left young Egyptian forward Hamza Abdelkarim out of the internal training match held at the end of the club's training camp at St George's Park. The decision has come as a surprise, given the player's recent standout performance where he scored twice in a friendly match.

The internal game was arranged after the scheduled friendly against Preston North End was cancelled due to the hosts' inability to field a full squad. The coaching staff provided no specific explanation for Abdelkarim's absence from the three 20-minute periods of play, leading to speculation regarding his standing in the squad.

In the absence of the Egyptian forward, Flick experimented with Toni Fernandez and Ibrima Toncara in the centre-forward role. The unexpected exclusion of a player who had recently shown such promise has raised questions about his status in the manager's plans for the upcoming season.

The session was attended by the club's leadership, including sporting director Deco, while midfielder Frenkie de Jong watched from the stands as he continues his recovery from a knee injury. The team has since returned to Barcelona, with the future of the young forward remaining a key talking point.