A black robe, popularly known as Bisht, was draped on Lionel Messi by the Emir of Qatar after Argentina beat France on penalties to clinch the FIFA World Cup 2022, sparking massive debate across social media platforms.
Sunday night belonged to Argentina and Lionel Messi. The 35-year-old legend finally won his maiden World Cup glory after the South American giants defeated France 4-2 on penalties to clinch the Qatar 2022 trophy. And one of the large-scale grandeur celebrations stood out as a moment that has sparked a widespread debate on social media platforms.
The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, draped an intriguing black robe around Messi at the World Cup 2022 presentation to wear it for the moment he lifted the coveted trophy along with his Argentina teammates. While Messi fans revelled in the greatest moment of his illustrious career, there were a few who were left wondering what the black robe is called, what its significance is and why it was draped on the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) star just before lifting the trophy on the podium.
Due to significant worries over LGBTQ+ rights in the Gulf state and the safety of migrant workers engaged in the stadium construction, there has been considerable debate surrounding Qatar's selection to host this World Cup.
When Messi finally won the coveted trophy on Sunday, football finally took centre stage, but Qatar couldn't help but try one last time at what Argentina fans argue to be peak sports washing at the competition's pinnacle moment.
The black robe is called 'Bisht' and is worn by warriors after victory, so some believe that the gesture by the Qatari Emir was a complimentary gesture to the legendary forward Messi. The robe is also worn by the royal family.
Tallie Dar wrote on Twitter, "King of Qatar honoured Messi as a sign of respect. Signifying Messi as a warrior who won for his country Argentina."
"Messi is being honoured as royalty in his Argentinian shirt, as the King of Football. It's poetic. I don't expect haters to understand because small minds will never get to king-level," he added.
Meanwhile, Gary Lineker took a jibe at FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who was present at the moment Messi was being draped by the black Qatari robe. "Amazing scenes, great pictures from above and great pictures from inside the ground as Argentina win the World Cup for the third time. It seems a shame, in a way, that they've covered up Messi in his Argentina shirt," he said.
Alan Shearer joked, stating, "I didn't think Infantino was going to let him go either," before Lineker added: "Nobody marked him that tightly during the game!"
After getting off the podium, Messi took the robe off soon before someone added a third star to his Argentina shirt to mark their third World Cup triumph.
The moment has sparked a massive debate on social media platforms, with some Messi fans stating that the Qatar Emir photobombed the Argentinian icon's greatest moment of his career. Meanwhile, there were also a few who stated that unnecessary drama was being created for something that was a gesture of honour.
"Making Messi wear that robe is absolutely grim. Sums up everything wrong with this World Cup," noted Will Martin on Twitter.
Meanwhile, another user noted, "Qatar's Emir gave Messi the same robe that he is wearing. It is a royal gift, clearly made of gold and some exquisite sheer material that requires expert craftsmanship. It is the highest honour that the country could bestow after the final. Why is the world losing its mind?"
Here's a look at some of the reactions of users on the micro-blogging site:
Making Messi wear that robe is absolutely grim. Sums up everything wrong with this World Cup
— Will Martin (@willmartin19)Qatar's Emir gave Messi the same robe that he is wearing. It is a royal gift, clearly made of gold and some exquisite sheer material that requires expert craftsmanship. It is the highest honour that the country could bestow after the final. Why is the world losing its mind?
— Sachin Kalbag (@SachinKalbag)It’s perfectly possible to think it was odd to put an Arab robe on Messi at the end, but can we stop with the racist, Orientalist, anti-Arab BS please?
Also, a sombrero was put on Pelé’s head at the 1970 Mexico World Cup final, seconds after Brazil won it.
So give it a rest. https://t.co/3TIhJDRlNX
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)Culturally, dressing someone a“Bisht” (the robe) is an act of courtesy & high appreciation in .
Thus, was highly respected by the Emir of Qatar dressing him the Bisht.
Ignorant Western media shall learn about cultures instead of whining as usual! pic.twitter.com/5Se3sQVSaa
Anti Arab BBC is racist. Pundits like Gary Lineker and Dan Walker are a disgrace
The Gold threaded Arab Robe is the highest symbol of respect in Gulf Arab culture
The Arabs honoured and the racists mock it.
Thanks Qatar ❤️🇶🇦
Best ever world cup pic.twitter.com/fBlWqfkF6W
Lineker and the BBC had best explain what the issue was with Messi wearing a traditional Arab desht (robe)? "Seems a shame", why?🤔
The flood of anti-Arab/Islamophobic commentary on BBC this WC has been appalling! pic.twitter.com/NDU0dvaWMw
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 pic.twitter.com/QcBBfMbmNJ
— Rob Blanchette (@_Rob_B)Don't know what the fuss is all about with the robe- it was a sign of respect and made Messi look like footballing royalty ngl, which he is pic.twitter.com/e5DpKTPFx3
— Amartya ⚕️ (on a study break) (@AirpodAmartya)I can't find an explanation for the anger shown by some Western and Israeli media over Messi's wearing an Arab Besht ( traditional formal robe) in the World Cup final, except that it is racism.
Why did no one raise his/her voice when the player himself wore a kippah? pic.twitter.com/kyayIMV1DT
I wonder what those criticizing wearing a black Qatari robe would have commented on for wearing a Sombrero Mexican hat after winning his 3rd FIFA World Cup in in 1970? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/CuxJ5wRQkz
— Chaker Khazaal (@ChakerKhazaal)What is the commentary of shock over donning a based on? Sports brings people together & it was a great gesture by both sides - one in acknowledging the culture of another region and the other by trying to honour Messi in their own way, putting on the robe on him.
— Maha Siddiqui (@SiddiquiMaha)Messi looked Fabulous & Regal in that robe. Get used to it https://t.co/dj6E7xDZKP
— iqbal theba (@iqbaltheba)Epic. adorned as a royal. pic.twitter.com/6dUEP7gsS0
— Gabriel Evan Conners (@cityzenlab)In Arabic culture al-bisht, the robe that the Emir of Qatar puts on Messi, is a very expensive piece of clothing worn by royalty and similar VIPs. Having one put on you by a royal is tantamount to being knighted in Western culture. It's a very high gesture of honouring someone. pic.twitter.com/XwBHp70Aix
— AYMEN (@aymen_mahgoub)you address him as Sheikh Messi first of all, wearing the bisht “robe”is a sign of respect which is for special occasions, ceremonies & part of our culture you won’t understand of course. Messi was happy & proud yet here you’re crying. casual racism & xenophobia from the west https://t.co/glh2qsIpzw pic.twitter.com/CKN7J44WH6
— SY (@SYgenuis)