Lenglet explains controversial photo with Lewandowski

Clement Lenglet was spotted smiling alongside Robert Lewandowski after Barcelona's 3-0 Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich in Germany on Wednesday, with the image sparking controversy after going viral on social media.

The Frenchman was at the receiving end of criticism after Barcelona's humiliating elimination from the Champions League group stage and he took to social media to explain his gesture.

"I want to send a message to the Barcelona fans," Lenglet wrote on social media.

"First of all, [I want to express] my sadness for yesterday's result. This club only deserve the best and we have not been able to fulfil that.

"Secondly, I want to explain an image of me in which I'm smiling with Lewandowski about something that had just happened at that moment.

"It is a specific reaction that in no way reflects my feeling about the result. My values are unquestionable and anyone who knows me knows my commitment and my love for my profession, for Barcelona and especially for the fans.

"I would never have a reaction like that for something that hurt so much as yesterday. Today, we are very sad but now we have a mission: to take Barcelona back to where they belong."