Leo Messi on the occasion of the award ceremony for the victory of the World Cup wore a particular cape. What is it about? It’s called Bisht.
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The world of football at the feet of Leo Messi. In the end, the champion made it, and he succeeded to win i World Cup with her Argentina at the end of a final that was nothing short of incandescent against the France. His the decisive goal, the second after the one that opened the ball, to thwart Mbappé’s hat-trick with whom he was a heartfelt duel at a distance. And as if that weren’t enough, La Pulce also took home the man of the match award. The Albiceleste captain was thus finally able to raise the World Cup to the sky, and he did so with a very particular look.
In fact, Leo Messi didn’t appear on the podium only in a t-shirt and shorts, but with a brand new garment. After the ritual greetings to the authorities and the gold medal awarding ceremony, the star of Argentina was stopped by insiders and primarily by the Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani who put him on his shoulders a particular coat. Messi visibly embarrassed and smiling, he let himself be helped in arranging the particular cape and then wearing the same one he raised the world cup, while the fireworks went off in the stadium. A curious scene, a novelty for the World Awards.
What is that particular black cloak, with gold embroidery? It’s about Bishta typical item of clothing from the Middle East and the Arabian peninsula. It is a particular accessory that is usually worn over a thobe, i.e. a long tunic down to the ankles. This cloak, usually black, but also brown, grey, beige or white, is the most traditional of the Saudi cloaks as well as one of the most prestigious, and is associated with royalty, wealth and ceremony. It is no coincidence that Bisht are worn on noteworthy occasions, such as anniversaries or special moments, and by prominent personalities. Indeed, members of the royal families do not do without them in formal appointments.
The mantle was worn today, Qatar’s national holiday, which has been held since December 18, 1878, by the emir, ministers and all the main Qatari authorities. Here then is that the Bisht was also given to Leo Messi, the main protagonist of the World Cup which has now come to an end. A clever move by the authorities of the Middle Eastern country: in this way the image of Qatar was linked, through its typical garment, to the Argentine footballer in the most important moment of his career. And the image of the Argentina award ceremony destined to become iconic and remain in the history of football forever, there will also be the Bisht and therefore a reference to Qatar for what is a well thought-out act of propaganda.
But for every action there is a reaction. In fact, this gesture inevitably has significant consequences, also from other points of view. The Adidas top management certainly won’t be happy, given that the German company’s logo was covered by the Bisht on the occasion of the award ceremony. A mockery therefore the sponsor, in a situation destined to remain in the history of football.
There are also those who criticized the gesture, for other reasons, such as the former English striker and commentator Lineker who spoke for those who would have liked to see Messi lift the world trophy wearing only the Argentina shirt.
