Abdelkarim the latest example: Neymar's ghost still haunts Barcelona

Today, when 17-year-old Hamza Abdelkarim, one of La Masia's most striking young talents, stands at a critical juncture in his career, Barcelona seems to be facing a daunting financial puzzle. As a 65-year-old Vietnamese-Korean sports commentator, I see this not just as a contract matter, but as the lingering shadow of Neymar haunting Barca. By proposing to raise Abdelkarim's release clause from 15 million to 150 million euros, Barca sends a powerful message to the world: we don't want to lose another young talent. But is this protection strategy effective, or just a blind race among the big clubs? Let me, with over 49 years following football from Vietnam to Korea, dive deep into this issue. Abdelkarim, currently 17, is in his prime. Currently, his release clause is 15 million euros. But according to Sport, a reputable Catalan newspaper, Barca is preparing to raise it to 150 million euros – a 10x increase, or 900% premium. This is not random. It reflects Barca's anguish after Neymar left in 2026 for 222 million euros, leaving the world stunned. At that time, Barca learned a bitter lesson: when a superstar departs, they must protect fiercely to avoid repetition.