Lionel Messi has just made history by guiding his nation to a third FIFA World Cup victory, Argentina’s first since 1986.
In a grueling encounter with a resilient French side that showed no signs of backing down, Argentina was finally able to see out the game with a victory in the penalty shootouts.
The BEST World Cup Final ever! 🔥
Argentina wins the 2022 FIFA World Cup in penalty shoot-out after thrilling 3-3 draw with France 🏆
Final score 🇦🇷 ARG 4:3 FRA 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/qzhwNs72xt
— DYD SPORTS (@dydsportscom) December 18, 2022
Messi scored the opening goal of the game from the penalty spot in the 23rd minute before Juventus winger Angel Di Maria doubled the advantage prior to halftime.
Argentina had one hand on the World Cup trophy when Kylian Mbappe scored two goals within the space of 70 seconds, equalizing the contest at 2-2. A goal by Messi and another equalizer by Mbappe meant that the sides went into the high-pressure penalty shootouts, with the final score being tied at 3-3 after 120 minutes of regulation play plus stoppage time.
A World Cup final that will go down in history 🤯 pic.twitter.com/mzMJM2pi6s
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) December 18, 2022
The Argentines were able to keep their nerves while the French players felt the pressure. Courtesy of the heroics of Emiliano Martinez, Argentina won the shootouts and clinched the victory in the World Cup Final, eight years after finishing as runners-up, in 2014.
Argentine Euphoria and French tears coincided as Gonzalo Montiel netted the winning penalty.
After the preliminary celebrations on the pitch, the Argentine players were called to lift the trophy. But something else along with the trophy was handed to the captain of La Albiceleste, Lionel Messi.
Why was Lionel Messi wearing a black robe after winning the 2022 World Cup?
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was draped in a black robe by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Qatari Emir Tamim gives #Messi a bisht, which is a pride of Gulf dress, to wear 😃 pic.twitter.com/4FezYLn7mw
— Sinem Cengiz (@SinemCngz) December 18, 2022
The robe in question was worn by Messi as he posed with the World Cup trophy.
The robe is indigenous to the Middle East, specifically to Arab nations. It is a piece of clothing that has been worn by clergymen and kings in the Arabian peninsula for thousands of years.
What an absolute humdinger of a match! The never-say-die attitude of #France & #Mbappé's Hat-trick made it one of the best world cup finals ever.
Congratulations to #Argentina & #GOAT #Messi𓃵 on winning the #FIFAWorldCup. Special word of appreciation must go to Martinez. pic.twitter.com/7LiEdY1k4P
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) December 18, 2022
Neither is it an average piece of clothing nor is it an everyday clothing item. The robe, which is indigenously called “bisht”, is reserved for momentous occasions and is usually worn by people of importance in society.
As soccer fans on the internet are caught up in the mystery of the bisht, only one reason comes to mind as to why Messi was bestowed with the opportunity to show off this traditional piece of Royal Arabian clothing.
The inclusion of the bisht in the iconic picture of the Argentine squad lifting the World Cup, casually resting on Messi’s shoulders, will be a constant reminder of the occurrence of this grand event in Qatar.
Secondly, the gifting of the bisht is usually done to show massive respect for the individual in question. After what Messi has achieved with his national side in this year’s World Cup, one can understand the motive behind the presence of the bisht.
Here are some fan reactions on the matter
“Was the robe necessary though? Way to ruin an iconic image,” wrote a user, who later deleted their tweet.
https://twitter.com/SandhuMMA/status/1604549844240154627?s=20&t=9fbjAae3FObhiwujAx1idg
https://twitter.com/NaserMestarihi/status/1604549709313581062?s=20&t=9fbjAae3FObhiwujAx1idg
For those asking, the robe Messi was wearing on the podium is a bisht. It's ceremonial rather than royal. It's usually worn by dignitaries at weddings and other formal occasions. pic.twitter.com/Ms8rzwHGcX
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) December 18, 2022
While soccer fans native to the Arab peninsula understand and appreciate the presence of the bisht, fans from the West have indulged in the appreciation of the token of respect as well. Although, strictly speaking as a fashion statement, fans have given mixed reactions to the same.