Piotr Zielinski has refused to apologize for posing for a photo with Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Poland captain came under fire after he and team-mate Nicola Zalewski were seen taking pictures with the Portugal star.

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It came after their team’s 5-1 Nations League defeat at Porto on Friday night.

Former defender Jacek Bak hit out at the pair, saying: “It’s not my thing.

“Times used to be different. We get 5-1 (loss) and I have to ask Ronaldo for a picture? The guy who fucked us a moment ago? Do we really have no honor in us?

“Nowadays social media is the most important thing and the first one to post a picture with Ronaldo is better? That’s not the way to go.

“Let’s say it strongly: the coach (Michal) Probierz should react. All that was missing was for him to take a picture with Ronaldo, or maybe exchange jackets with Roberto Martinez.

“I guess I’m not cut out for these times. It’s sad. I guess I’m cut from a different cloth. Unfortunately, that’s how the world is today.”

However, Zielinski has refused to apologize for the images as he continues to wear the armband in the absence of the injured Robert Lewandowski.

The Inter Milan the midfielder replied: “Nicola and I went up to him, asked for a photo and took it. Neither Cristiano nor we had a problem with it, that’s all.

“I’m not interested in what happens on social media. For me, Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the best players in the history of football. I felt like taking a picture and I did. That’s it. Why is it inappropriate?

“We lost the game but what am I going to do? Hide in a corner? I went up to him and asked him for a picture and that was it. That’s what I felt like doing.

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“He (Bak) is entitled to his own opinion. But I don’t think there was anything wrong with it.”

Zielinski has won 98 caps for Poland and scored 14 goals since his debut in 2013.

Manager Michal Probierz has also defended the 30-year-old, adding: “I always tell the players, if you have a problem, if you feel like doing something before the game, take a picture before the game.

“The 90 minutes are crucial. This time we failed, but we know what to do, how to play, how to work.

“Every player is a human being. We forget that sometimes. These are people living their lives and they are young people.”

Zielinski is expected to continue as captain against Scotland on Monday evening.

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Lewandowski remains out through injury for the match in Warsaw.

Both sides remain in danger of relegation from League A in their final Nations League game.