Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, emir of Qatar, gave Lionel Messi a type of traditional tunic when presenting the World Cup trophy.
On the stage next to Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, after Argentina’s historic victory on penalties over France, a smiling Messi received the cape on his shoulders and celebrated with it the lifting of the trophy with his teammates.
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Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, emir of Qatar, gave Lionel Messi a type of traditional tunic when presenting him with the World Cup trophy.
What does the cape they put on Messi mean?
This is the bisht, also written as besht, a garment described by the Saudi newspaper Arab News as a long traditional Arab cape that men wear over their tunics, which It is used for special occasions such as weddings, festivals, graduations and Eid. It is a formal garment of politicians, religious scholars and high-ranking people in Arab countries.
The word bisht is derived from Persian: to go on the back, according to Arab News. Speaking to Marca, Hassan Al Thawadi, head of the World Cup, said: “It is our official clothing, for weddings, for official things, it is a very important thing for us, not only in Qatar, in the Arab world, in the world of Gulf in particular. It’s the best clothes“. This is, then, a distinction of honor for Messi in Qatar.
The man from Rosario, upon receiving the cape and cup, walked towards his teammates and with it raised the trophy for the photos that will be immortalized in history.
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