What was Lionel Messi wearing during the World Cup 2022 trophy ceremony in Qatar? What is a bisht? What does robe mean?
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Updated 19/12/2022 at 09:47 GMT
Lionel Messi is a World Cup winner! The 35-year-old starred as Argentina beat France in a thriller on penalties, picking up the Golden Ball award for the tournament’s best player in the process. And while his performances in Qatar will live long in the memory, so too will the photo of him lifting the iconic trophy – especially given what he was wearing. So what exactly was the robe given to Messi?
Joyful Argentina fans and downbeat France supporters leave Lusail Stadium
Lionel Messi finally ended his hunt for a World Cup winners’ medal on Sunday – although his crowning moment came wearing a black robe over his Argentina shirt as he lifted the trophy.
Messi scored twice in a pulsating final, and again in the shootout, as Argentina edged defending champions France on penalties after a barnstorming 3-3 draw in Qatar. He was awarded the Golden Ball for the tournament’s best player, having delivered his nation’s first World Cup since the Diego Maradona-inspired triumph on 1986.
But when Messi came to collect the trophy from FIFA president Gianni Infantino, he was encouraged by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to put on a translucent tunic before leading Argentina’s celebrations.
It led to the unusual sight of Messi lifting the World Cup trophy with his iconic Argentina shirt covered. Although he soon took it off as the celebrations spilled around the stadium, his iconic moment will forever feature that black robe.
WHAT WAS LIONEL MESSI WEARING DURING THE TROPHY CEREMONY?
Lionel Messi was given a bisht, a traditional men’s cloak typically worn at celebration in parts of the Arab world.
Dr Mustafa Baig, a lecturer in Islamic Studies at the University of Exeter, explained the significance to the Press Association.
“They basically honoured him by putting it over his shoulders. It’s like a mark of honour, and just kind of a cultural welcoming and a cultural acceptance,” he said, adding it is typically worn by royalty, dignitaries, grooms and graduates.
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Lionel Messi lifts the World Cup trophy
Image credit: Getty Images
It was also Qatar’s crowning moment in the spotlight after hosting the first World Cup in the Arab world.
“And this is a top occasion. I mean, there’s probably no bigger occasion, so they put it on him as a mark of honour,” said Dr Baig.
WHAT WAS THE REACTION?
Former England star Gary Lineker admitted it was a “shame” that Messi was given the robe, while former Argentina defender Pablo Zabaleta also questioned it.
"It seems a shame, in a way, that they've covered up Messi in his Argentina shirt,” Lineker said during the BBC's coverage of the final.
Zabaleta added: "Just, why? Why? No reason to do that."
It is not the first time a player has been handed an item of local clothing after a final. At the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, Brazil legend Pele was given a sombrero during the on-pitch celebrations.
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