Lionel Messi received a Bisht that covered his Argentina shirt at the final before lifting the World Cup trophy in Qatar.
The black robe is a piece of clothing that has been worn for generations on special occasions in the Arab world. It is typically saved for prominent members of society including members of the royal family, politicians, religious experts, and the rich.
Some spectators and broadcasters were perplexed and unaware of the significance of the garment. But a scholar has clarified that it was Qatar’s way of honoring Messi.
The bisht is a formal robe worn by royalty, nobles, and grooms on their wedding days, and graduates at graduation ceremonies, according to Dr. Mustafa Baig, a lecturer in Islamic Studies at the University of Exeter.
A bisht is a lengthy garment composed of sheer material with genuine gold accents.
Therefore, a small number of people would wear the bisht, he explained.
In the Arabic-speaking world, bishts have been worn for ceremonial occasions for thousands of years. They have been compared to black ties in the west, but they also have implications of power because they have been worn by officials, clergy, and kings quite frequently.
The bisht was put on Messi for the initial trophy lift, but he quickly removed it as he continued to celebrate. Then, to commemorate their third World Cup victory, a third star was affixed to his Argentina jersey.
During the trophy presentation, Messi shook hands with Gianni Infantino, the president of Fifa, and Sheikh Tamim, the emir of Qatar, who twice gave the 35-year-old a playful clip on the head.
Recall that during the 3-3 draw at the Lusail Stadium, Messi was the hero as he scored twice and successfully converted his penalty in a thrilling shootout victory over France.
His World Cup career came to a dream finale as he added the one significant achievement that was missing from his resume in historic moments in Qatar.
But as Messi eventually approached the podium to accept the trophy, the Emir of Qatar presented him with a black robe. As BBC announcer Guy Mowbray proclaimed it to be “the night the true king of football is coronated.”
After receiving the trophy, Messi approached his teammates cautiously as they celebrated one of the most famous moments in football history. Messi’s blue and white Argentina shirt, however, was obscured by the robe.
Lionel Messi eventually won the World Cup in Qatar 2022, and images of the Argentina captain raising the illustrious trophy were broadcast to billions of people all over the world.
What happened?
For Argentina, it almost didn’t happen.
The talented Kylian Mbappe wanted to make a statement with a hat trick, which was the first in a World Cup final since Sir Geoff Hurst of England in 1966, but the Argentines always held the late Diego Maradona in high regard.
At a rocking Lusail Stadium, Messi’s aspirations and dreams as well as those of the entire nation of Argentina ultimately came true.
The song that has become popular in Qatar and all the way home in Argentina was playing repeatedly.
As Lionel Scaloni’s team, captained by Lionel Messi, celebrated their third World Cup victory, following 1978 and 1986, in their sixth final, more than three decades of pain was put to rest.
