Celebrity
‘Selfish’ Qatar World Cup Hosts Force Messi To Cover Up His Iconic Shirt With Arabic Robe
Some found it weird and scene-stealing, while others saw it as an honor.
Qatar has been an incredible host this year as the World Cup 2022 has proven to be a success. And congratulations to Argentina who won it this time. But viewers felt it was awkward when the hosts of the Qatar World Cup took out a bisht and had Messi wear it before he could lift it up with his team to show off.
Bisht is a traditional Arabian robe, typically sheer, worn for formal or ceremonial occasions like weddings or festivals. The Emir of Qatar draped it on him and FIFA President Gianni Infantino applauded and congratulated the man.
Bishts are typically royalty fashion wore on very important, formal occasions, and are often seen on not just political figures, but also religious figures. A lecturer in Islamic studies from the University of Exeter, Mustafa Baig, explained, “So only a select few people would actually wear the bisht.”
The bisht was worn on him by the Emir of Qatar himself, which is considered an honor by many.
But others saw the awkward moment he had to dress momentarily before he got to join his team to lift up the World Cup. The sheer black bisht slightly obscured his uniform although the rest of his team was clearly seen.
One commented, “Messi finally wins the World Cup and is made to put on a robe to lift the trophy. You just don’t do that.”
People are criticizing that the robe shouldn’t have been worn at least when he was lifting the World Cup and later for a different shot.
But others tried to explain it. One wrote, “Bishts are worn by Kings and princes and warriors in the Arab world. Arab Kings don’t wear crowns they wear Bishts.”
“Imagine King Charles putting a crown on Messi’s head. That’s how significant it is. He wore it as a victorious warrior and a king among his people.”
Messi has shared shots from when he lifted the cup and had only one shot in the bisht included.
