The 2022 World Cup came to an end last night (Sunday) in the most dramatic way possible, when Argentina defeated France in a penalty shootout. In the end, the image you will remember from this World Cup will probably be Lionel Messi, casually dressed in a traditional bisht, waving the trophy he has dreamed of all his life.
“Why did this happen? There is no reason to do it,” exclaims former Argentina player Pablo Sabaleta. Gary Lineker added: “It’s a shame, it was a magical moment and they covered his Argentina shirt.”
Qatar obviously wanted to be present in the World Cup trophy pictures, hence putting that black bisht on Messi.
But just made for an weird, unnecessary look amid a sea of blue + white sporting shirts.
It should be a moment for the players, not the host. Grossly indulgent.
— Laurie Whitwell (lauriewhitwell) December 18, 2022
While these commentators were somewhat amused, the English journalist Ian Herbert published a scathing column in the “Daily Mail” attacking the decision – and the entire World Cup in Qatar. “In the end, the Emir of Qatar dressed Messi in a black robe, which was the final stamp of a hapless hostess, who enthroned him as if he belonged to her,” wrote Herbert. “Messi, the player of the tournament, seemed indifferent but agreed to this photo session. He took off his robe immediately after the wave.”
A final flourish from Qatar.
Dressing Lionel Messi in a bisht before allowing him to lift the World Cup.
What on earth are we watching? pic.twitter.com/yWpkcAgi91
— Gareth Davies (GD10) December 18, 2022
The black cloak is called a ‘Beshth’. Arabian warriors wore it after a victory. It’s also worn by the royal family. Emir of Qatar gave Messi the honour as a sign of respect, he’s a warrior who won for his country Argentina ???????? pic.twitter.com/7b7QuZeRdL
— Tallie Dar (talliedar) December 18, 2022
Bizarre idea to make Messi wear a black robe to lift the trophy. Ruins what should have been an iconic photo by making him look like a Harry Potter extra. Surely any player lifting the World Cup wants to do so in his country’s colours? #WorldCup
— Nicola Palios (NicolaPalios) December 18, 2022
Herbert added: “The Qataris had already acquired Messi and Mbappe, as part of their takeover of Paris Saint-Germain, so even in the World Cup final it was clear to them that they would leave with a winner. Gianni Infantino, Qatar’s chief cheerleader, can surely look forward to a life of wealth in Doha , a place that became a home for him. In the end it was Messi and Ambape – not the Qatari millionaires – who gave us something to besiege. We are leaving Qatar without any emotion, without any intention of returning to this soulless desert.”
Making Messi wear that robe is absolutely grim. Sums up everything wrong with this World Cup
— Will Martin (willmartin19) December 18, 2022
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“Sky Sport” reporter Kaba Solakol was a little more restrained: “We haven’t seen anything like this in the World Cup final before, it’s an image that will be regretted forever. Usually, when a captain lifts the trophy, he wears his country’s shirt, and Argentina’s shirt is one of the most famous in the world of football. Some people will say that this is a sign that Qatar is trying to take control of the moment. Every time they see this picture, they will remember that it was a World Cup in the Arab world, held in Qatar. But Messi is the one who decided to wear the cloak. He is in an Arab country and for him it is a great honor. Let’s not jump to conclusions. If Messi agreed to this, who are we to judge him?”