Barcelona secure Egypt teenager Hamza Abdelkarim with €150m release clause

Hamza Abdelkarim has become the youngest Egyptian player to appear at a World Cup after a remarkable 2026, and the 18-year-old has now agreed a new contract with FC Barcelona until 2030.

The forward has also made his debut for Barcelona’s first team, strengthening his reputation as one of the club’s most promising young players. His progress has led to comparisons with Mohamed Salah, with Abdelkarim increasingly viewed as a potential future successor to the Liverpool forward in the Egypt national team.

Barcelona have moved to protect the teenager from interest among several major clubs during the summer. According to Sport, Abdelkarim has been awarded a significant salary increase and now has a release clause worth 150 million euros.

The agreement was reportedly completed quickly, with only two meetings between Abdelkarim and Barcelona’s directors required to conclude the negotiations. His previous clause had been set at 15 million euros, meaning the new figure represents an increase of 900%.

The size of the clause reflects the rapid rise in Abdelkarim’s value. The CIES Football Observatory estimates Anthony Gordon’s value at 90 million euros, while Karim Adeyemi is valued at 40 million euros by Transfermarkt. Abdelkarim’s release clause is therefore higher than the combined figures given for those two players.

Barcelona’s decision sends a clear indication of the importance they attach to Abdelkarim’s development. His historic World Cup appearance for Egypt, first-team debut and improved contract all point to the confidence the club has placed in him.

At only 18, the attacker already occupies a rare position in Egyptian football. His performances in 2026 have established him as one of the country’s leading emerging talents, while his progress at Barcelona could soon make him one of the most recognisable new figures in the national game.

Barcelona’s next league fixture is against Levante in the fifth round of the Spanish championship. The available odds listed by 1xbet are 15.00 for a Levante victory, 8.00 for a draw and 1.09 for a Barcelona win.