Mohamed Salah is finding the prospect of playing in a Champions League final a special, humbling experience.

“I always remember as a 10-year-old kid who was watching the Champions League from home,” the Liverpool star told Egyptian network ON Ent in an exclusive interview ahead of his side’s clash against Real Madrid on May 26.

“Sitting on the sofa and watching it eagerly. You see how people in Egypt view this so this is what makes me feel something different.”

The 25-year-old understands the significance of his presence in club football’s showpiece event – he’s the first Egyptian to reach the Champions League final – noting how far he’s come since the days of watching the European final as a youngster and the special place he holds in Egyptian fans’ hearts.

“People are watching me as I watching other superstars on TV a long time ago.

“They see their superstar capable of reaching that level and they feel capable to because someone from their country can do it, so why can’t they?

“It makes me really happy when I see people comment on that saying that I have given them hope.”