December 18, (THEWILL) – In the victorious ceremony that capped the Qatar 2022 World Cup final, Messi was decked in a black robe as he received the coveted World Cup trophy from Gianni Infantino, the FIFA President, and Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Qatari Emir.
The robe remained draped over the Argentine captain as he and his team lifted the World Cup, and even if it was a lace, see-through material, it covered his iconic shirt and got a few quizzical looks from watchers.
Yet, the semi-transparent black robe with gold trim was formally given to him by the Emir and it is called a “bisht,” a customary article of clothing for males in the Arab world that is frequently worn for ceremonial events like weddings. It has regal connotations for the secular authorities or clergy who frequently wear them.
Fans have obviously never seen the costume worn during the final post-match celebrations before because this is the first World Cup ever staged in the Arab region. Additionally, it is the first time a World Cup-winning captain has donned traditional garb while hoisting the trophy, which was responsible for the questionable reactions to that aspect of the ceremony.
To cap a truly magnificent competition for himself and his country, the mercurial Messi was named Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
