Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke has been named in Belgium’s preliminary World Cup squad and here’s the fans’ reaction.
Crystal Palace’s Christian Benteke has hardly been prolific this season. In-fact it can be argued that the big Belgian has had his worst Premier League season ever. However, he’s somehow managed to get himself on the plane to Russia for the World Cup.
Benteke is one of 14 Premier League-based Belgians that made Roberto Martinez’s 28-man squad, with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen and Mousa Dembele, who have all comfortably had better seasons than the Eagles’ forward.
Palace fans have taken to social media to react to the 27-year-old’s inclusion, with a number offering words of support, while the rest are less accepting of the decision to take the three-goal Premier League scorer. There’s a common theme throughout though, and that is one of surprise.
Belgium will face Portugal in their pre-tournament friendly on June 2nd, before the squad is revised and brought back to 23 players. The Red Devils will then face Egypt and Costa Rica in the final friendlies before the beginning of the tournament in Russia – starting on June 14th.
Roberto Martinez’s outfit are in the same group as England, so those wishing the best for the striker will likely change their tune come match-day. England face off against Tunisia and Panama as the two other opponents in group G.
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