As of yesterday, Lionel Messi is a World Champion. Messi’s Argentina defeated France 4-2 in the penalty shootout to clinch their third World Cup title. In what was one of the craziest World Cup finals ever, Argentina and France were deadlocked 3-3 after extra time. However, Emiliano Martinez’s heroics saved Argentina once again, and finally, Lionel Messi was able to get his hands on the coveted FIFA World Cup trophy.
Lionel Messi scored twice during the game, while Angel Di Maria also scored a goal last night. However, France’s tragic hero, Kylian Mbappe, scored a hat trick to keep France in the game until the last moment. Argentina bagged the majority of the individual awards. Lionel Messi won the Golden Ball, Emiliano Martinez won the Golden Glove, and Enzo Fernandez won the Best Young Player of the Tournament. France’s Kylian Mbappe, with 8 goals to his name, won the Golden Boot award.
However, a strange sight appeared as Messi went up to collect his winner’s medal and the World Cup trophy. He was given a black robe with golden borders while he was handed the World Cup trophy.
Who gifted the black robe to Lionel Messi after the World Cup victory? – Emir of Qatar
The black robe that Lionel Messi was wearing during the World Cup 2022 celebrations was gifted by none other than the Emir of Qatar, Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani. The robe, which was made out of camel hair and goat wool, is called ‘bisht’ in Arabic culture.
A bisht is worn on special and auspicious occasions such as wedding ceremonies, or religious festivals like Eid. The Emir of Qatar handed Lionel Messi the bisht alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino as a mark of respect for the soccer star. The Emir of Qatar himself was wearing a bisht similar to the one he gifted to Lionel Messi. However, most fans and ex-soccer players have been left a bit puzzled after the incident yesterday. Many of them felt that the black robe somewhat left a bad mark on Argentina and Messi’s celebrations.
Why on earth would anyone cover Messi up with a black robe, that covers his iconic number 10 Argentina shirt, during his famous trophy lift photo?! Good god. FIFA are a disgrace. And qatar are right behind.
— Johnny Ward (@onestep4ward) December 18, 2022
Considering FIFA made such a huge fuss about players wearing a 🌈 armband, it’s incredulous Lionel Messi was dressed in this robe by Infantino & the Qatar monarch to photobomb the greatest moment of his career. This day belongs only to La Albiceleste #ARG#FIFAWorldCup2022 pic.twitter.com/QcBBfMbmNJ
— Rob Blanchette (@_Rob_B) December 18, 2022
Gary Linekar, former English soccer star, and current BBC pundit said, “This is a magic moment it’s a shame in a way they’ve covered up Messi in his Argentina shirt.”
Gary Linekars comment on Messi wearing a robe is exactly why i said the whole Qatar propaganda is Islamophobia at heart.
Pele wore a sombrero at the Mexican World Cup, obviously honouring culture, but when it’s a muslim country, they find an issue.
Fuck off man. pic.twitter.com/79RRzrCC6Y
— Zak. (@zakwithadot) December 18, 2022
However, many fans felt that the fans were criticizing the action of the Emir of Qatar because of an “Anti-Muslim’ bias. Some took to Twitter and said that the black robe was a mark of honor and respect. Thus, the incident of the black robe shouldn’t be looked down upon.