Barça finds the new Robert Lewandowski at the U-17 World Cup

In recent hours, Robert Lewandowski's name has once again dominated much of the sports news surrounding FC Barcelona. The Polish striker's contract ends this coming summer and, as of today, the club doesn't seem certain that he should continue. The initial roadmap pointed to a natural separation, understanding that the '9's cycle has come to an end.

However, Robert Lewandowski isn't giving up so easily and has made a smart move. The forward has communicated to the club his desire to extend his contract for one more season, convinced that he can still perform at the highest level. To facilitate the agreement, he's even willing to significantly lower his salary and adapt to Barça's delicate financial situation.

This proposal has sparked an internal debate within FC Barcelona's leadership. From the sports department, they believe that, despite his age, Lewandowski is still a reliable striker inside the box. But the key isn't just in the present, but in the immediate future the club wants to build.

Barça finds the new Robert Lewandowski at the U-17 World Cup

This is where a name that's starting to gain traction in the offices at Camp Nou comes into play. Barça has identified a young striker with a goal-scoring instinct and a profile that's highly compatible with the Polish forward. This is Hamza Abdelkarim, the Egyptian striker from Al Ahly who has excelled brightly at the recent U-17 World Cup.

Hamza isn't a stranger to FC Barcelona's scouting department. In fact, his name had been highlighted in red in internal reports for some time. His participation in the tournament held in Qatar was the final push to accelerate the club's moves.

João Amaral, Barça's head of scouting, was present, closely following several promising talents in the championship. Among all of them, Hamza Abdelkarim stood out for his maturity, his reading of the game, and his ability to finish in high-pressure situations. He's not a static '9', but a modern striker who understands collective play.

Hamza Abdelkarim can be the new Robert Lewandowski

Although Hamza Abdelkarim is on Barça's radar to replace Robert Lewandowski, both could be at Camp Nou at the same time. At the Catalan club, they believe that the Polish forward's presence for one more season could be key to speeding up the young Egyptian striker's adaptation to European soccer. A direct, daily, and demanding learning process that would allow Barça to ensure an orderly transition in such a sensitive position.

In Barcelona, they believe that signing him is only a matter of time. Hamza Abdelkarim wouldn't arrive to take on an immediate leading role in the first team, but rather as a strategic investment for the future. Meanwhile, Robert Lewandowski's continuity now takes on a different meaning, far beyond the purely sporting aspect.