Egyptian youngster Ham Hamza Abdelkarin targets Argentina clash at World Cup

Egypt defeated Australia in the Round of 32 to reach the World Cup last‑16, where they will meet Argentina. Eighteen‑year‑old forward Hamza Abdelkarim, a Barcelona academy player, has featured in all four of Egypt’s matches and spoke about staying focused on the pitch, saying, “I am here to play football, so anything that is said outside, I try not to pay attention to it.” He highlighted the mentorship he receives from Egyptian legend Mohamed Salah, noting, “Since my first day Salah is there with me and the whole team.” Abdelkarim also downplayed the Messi factor, stating, “We are playing Argentina, not Messi.” The player’s composure and confidence have drawn attention as Egypt prepares for the upcoming knockout tie.