Poland's Zielinski Defends Photo with Ronaldo

Following Poland's 5-1 defeat to Portugal in the Nations League, captain Piotr Zielinski and teammate Nicola Zalewski faced backlash for taking photos with Cristiano Ronaldo. Former Poland player Jacek Bak criticized the pair for their actions, questioning their 'honour' and suggesting they were prioritizing social media fame over sportsmanship. Zielinski defended his decision, stating that asking for a photo with Ronaldo, whom he regards as one of football's greatest players, was a personal choice and not influenced by social media. He emphasized that losing the match should not dictate his actions and expressed indifference to the criticism. Coach Michal Probierz supported Zielinski but suggested players consider timing for such requests in the future. The incident has sparked debate about sportsmanship and the role of social media in modern sports culture.