“How can you bench your best player?” “Cannot believe my eyes” – Fans angered by exclusion of 23-year-old star from Portugal line-up for FIFA World Cup game against Ghana

Fans have taken to social media to criticize Portugal manager Fernando Santos for leaving Rafael Leao out of his team to face Ghana in the FIFA World Cup.

Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, will take to the field for the first time at the 2022 FIFA World Cup today (November 24). They are set to face Ghana in their first group-stage match of the tournament at Stadium 974 in Qatar.

The FIFA World Cup is one trophy that has evaded Cristiano Ronaldo so far in his career. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner will be determined to get his hands on it by leading Os Navegadores to glory this time.

With less than an hour to go until kick-off, Portugal have announced their starting line-up for the match. Santos appears to have set up his team with four defenders, two strikers and a diamond in midfield.

Diogo Costa starts in goal, with Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Danilo Pereira, and Raphael Guerreiro forming the backline. Ruben Neves is expected to operate as a defensive midfielder, with Otavio and Bruno Fernandes playing further forward.

A ✨𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗜𝗔✨! Este é o nosso 11 Inicial para hoje! 👥 #VesteABandeira

The ✨𝗗𝗘𝗕𝗨𝗧✨! This is our Starting 11 for today! 👥 #WearTheFlag https://t.co/DNTBs6oq5T

🇵🇹 Portugal XI: Diogo Costa; Cancelo, Danilo, Rúben Dias, Guerreiro; Neves; Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Otávio, João Félix; Ronaldo.

🇬🇭 Ghana XI: Ati Zigi; Seidu, Djiku, Salisu, Amartey, Rahman; Partey, Abdul Samed; Kudus, Iñaki Williams, André Ayew.

Bernardo Silva is expected to play as a playmaker, while Ronaldo and Joao Felix will lead the line. Leao, though, is one notable absentee in Portugal's line-up to face Ghana today.

Santos has decided to name the 23-year-old on the bench despite the forward being in fine form for AC Milan this term. While the manager is confident that his preferred XI will get the job done, fans on Twitter are unhappy to see Leao on the bench.

One fan wrote:

"How can you bench your best player? (Leao)."

@TheEuropeanLad How can you bench your best player? (Leao)

@TheEuropeanLad Their best player not starting? 🤔 https://t.co/0s3nJg2VuM

@TheEuropeanLad No leao is a joke

@TheEuropeanLad No Leao https://t.co/EX67ul2OVZ

Another supporter expressed his frustration at seeing Felix start ahead of Leao:

"This guy (has) literally start(ed) felix instead (of) Leao..."

@TheEuropeanLad This guy literally start felix instead Leao…

@TheEuropeanLad No Leao? advantage Ghana

@TheEuropeanLad so no leao i cannot believe my eyes

Leao has scored six goals and provided five assists in 14 league matches for Milan this term.

Who are playing for Ghana against Portugal in the FIFA World Cup?

FC St. Gallen player Lawrence Ati Zigi will play in goal for Ghana against Portugal in their FIFA World Cup opener. Mohammed Salisu, Alexander Djiku and Daniel Amartey are the centre-backs, while Alidu Seidu and Baba Rahman will operate as the full-backs.

𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 ! 🚨

Our starting 𝗫𝗜 to face Portugal.

#BlackStars | #FIFAWorldCup | #TeamGhana | #Qatar2022 https://t.co/dHbKM5r9k6

Arsenal's Thomas Partey and RC Lens' Salis Abdul Samed will line up in a double pivot in midfield. Andre Ayew and Mohammed Kudus are expected to play on the sides, with Inaki Williams leading the line.

Ghana also have a few good options on the bench in the shape of Tariq Lamptey and Kamaldeen Sulemana. It remains to be seen if they can cause an upset over Cristiano Ronaldo's side as Saudi Arabia did against Lionel Messi's Argentina this week.