Lionel Messi, the captain of Argentina, was presented with a customary black robe before lifting the World Cup trophy in Qatar. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the Emir of Qatar, gave Lionel Messi a black bisht, which is a thin, see-through cloak worn by men in Arab countries.
Most of the fans and media were unfamiliar with this garment, and they were left baffled. Later, a lecturer at the University of Exeter, Dr. Mustafa Baig, explained to the news agency that the bisht is a traditional robe worn by dignitaries, royalty, and grooms at their ceremonies, and this was Qatar’s way of honoring Messi. It is a mark of honor and a way to express a cultural welcome. Qatar’s national dress is a representation that can be seen only on important occasions; for Qatar, this was a great and unforgettable occasion, so they embraced Messi with their local culture.
Later, he joined his euphoric teammates standing at the other end of the podium to celebrate their victory over France. This was one of the greatest finals ever witnessed, not only by the fans at the stadium but also people betting on football. Argentina won the FIFA World Cup 2022 title by defeating France 4-2 in a penalty shootout.
Argentina won the trophy for the third time, but yesterday’s exciting match created history, and this was the first World Cup trophy for Lionel Messi. It was the final World Cup game for the shining star, Messi, who netted two goals in the 3-3 draw result.
The secretary general of Qatar’s tournament, Hassan Al Thawadi, told the media that being the host of the FIFA World Cup 2022 had given them a chance to showcase their Arab culture, and this was not only about Qatar, but it was a regional celebration, and it was indeed a Messi celebration.
Sheikh Tamim responded with joy, saying that they had kept their promise and organized an outstanding championship series, allowing people all over the world to witness the richness of their culture and values.
