Salah: Pleasure to have Totti as a team-mate

Speaking at a packed press conference in Dubai ahead of Friday’s Champions Golden Cup match against Al Ahly, the striker told reporters: “It is a pleasure to share the locker room with him. He’s a legend of this club and everyone respects him. Each time he comes onto the pitch, he lifts the crowd and is effective as proved by his goals in the last part of the season.”

The Egyptian international, who finished the season as the club’s top scorer with 14 Serie A goals, also admitted he was shocked by the reception waiting for him when he landed in Dubai.

“I didn’t expect it at all but I liked it,” Salah said of the chaotic scenes upon arrival with fans and airport staff all desperately trying to get close to him to take a picture. “I didn’t expect to see fans in the airport waiting for me. It was surprising but it is great to have so many fans and it makes me and my family very proud.”

Roma’s match against Al Ahly at the 25,000-capacity Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al-Ain will be streamed live on RomaTV+ from 18:00 CET on Friday.

Click here to sign up for free to watch the game.