Hamza Abdelkarim sends confident message after Barcelona omission against Elche

Egyptian forward Hamza Abdelkarim has responded to being left on the bench for Barcelona’s 5-0 victory over Elche by insisting he will remain ready for the moment his opportunity arrives.

The young Barcelona striker posted a calm and confident message on social media after the match, making clear that he would not allow his lack of playing time to affect his focus.

“No minutes today. The focus remains. I will stay ready for the moment of participation when it comes,” Abdelkarim wrote.

His statement reflected a patient approach to the decision not to select him, with the forward choosing to emphasise preparation rather than express disappointment at not appearing on the pitch.

Abdelkarim’s message came after Barcelona produced a convincing result against Elche, scoring five goals without reply. During the match, German manager Hansi Flick used Raphinha as the central striker, while other attacking players were given minutes in a forward line where competition for places remains strong.

Although he did not feature, Abdelkarim appeared determined to present a positive response. His post contained no complaint or criticism of the decision. Instead, it focused on maintaining his readiness and waiting for the opportunity to play.

That attitude is particularly important for a young player at the beginning of his experience with the first team. Rather than allowing one omission to become the focus, Abdelkarim underlined his desire to remain prepared should Flick call on him in a future match.

The Egyptian’s words also carried an element of confidence. He acknowledged that the chance might not come on a particular day, but made clear that his responsibility was to be fully prepared whenever the opportunity finally arrived.

Barcelona’s attacking options meant that Abdelkarim was not given any minutes against Elche, with Flick opting for Raphinha in the centre-forward position and using other players in attacking roles. The result nevertheless provided the backdrop for Abdelkarim’s first public reaction to his non-involvement.

Rather than allowing the situation to become a source of frustration, the young forward used his social-media message to underline patience, concentration and readiness. His response offered a clear indication that he intends to continue waiting for his chance without losing confidence.

For now, the main detail is that Abdelkarim did not play in Barcelona’s emphatic win over Elche. His reaction, however, was notable for its composure: he accepted that there were no minutes for him on this occasion, while reaffirming that he would remain ready for the next opportunity.