VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — At just 18 years old, Egyptian striker Hamza Abdelkarim is one of the youngest players on the roster. world cupbut he handles football’s biggest stage as an experienced professional.
The 6-footer is one of 22 teenagers in the World Cup squad and the youngest player to play for his country in the tournament.
Some call Abdelkarim Egypt’s heir. mohamed salahnow 34 years old, is perhaps the team’s biggest star. Abdelkarim came on as a substitute for Salah in the 76th minute of the first World Cup match between Egypt and Belgium.
What characterizes Abdelkarim is his calmness. Next, 1-1 draw with BelgiumHe confidently spoke for the team in front of the TV camera.
“The whole team wanted three points. We got one point at the end, but we gave it our all. And we have to thank the fans for coming. The atmosphere was great and we’re focused on the next game.”
Egypt will play New Zealand in Vancouver on Sunday, with both teams looking for their first World Cup win. new zealand Ended in a 2-2 draw with Iran In the opening match, all teams in Group G were tied on points.
Abdelkarim had never played for Egypt’s first team when he was selected for the World Cup qualifying squad in May. In the same month, he made his debut as a substitute in the 86th minute in a World Cup preparation match against Russia.
Abdelkarim made his debut at the age of 17, making him the youngest player for Al Ahly in the Egyptian Premier League.
He was loaned to Barcelona from Al Ahly earlier this year and made his debut for Barcelona Juvenil in March. Barcelona were expected to officially make the move permanent in the coming days.
To cap off his rapid rise, he recently signed a contract. Sponsorship contract with Nike.
Egypt will continue to rely on Salah, who has nine goals and three assists in six World Cup qualifying games and won the Premier League Golden Boot four times with Liverpool. There’s also Omar Marmouche, 27, who plays for Manchester City.
But coach Hossam Hassan is also looking to the future.
“What’s important for me, what the Egyptian fans watching us now, and what the whole world wants to see, is that the performance of the Egyptian national team commands great respect. They need to understand that besides star players like Omar and Salah, there is a collective football that doesn’t depend on one player, and that we work collectively and systematically.”
Mexico’s youngest World Cup player Gilberto Mora17 years old. Other notable teenagers taking part in the tournament include players from Spain Lamine Yamal They are Senegal’s Ibrahim Mbaye, both 18, and Brazil’s Endrick, 19.
___
AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
