Lionel Messi was handed a special ‘royal robe’ before lifting the 2022 FIFA World Cup trophy, with many wondering why.
It was the biggest moment of his career. Messi, 35, had finally won the FIFA World Cup trophy and was ready to present it to the world.
However, FIFA president, Gianni Infantino and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani kept the Messi and the whole world waiting because Messi was presented with a “bisht” – a traditional Arab robe – to honour the Argentina captain.
“Only a select few people would actually wear the bisht,” Dr Mustafa Baig – a lecturer in Islamic Studies at the University of Exeter told Press Association, as per SkySports.
“They basically honoured him (Messi) by putting it over his shoulders. It’s like a mark of honour, and just kind of a cultural welcoming and a cultural acceptance.
“This is a top occasion. I mean, there’s probably no bigger occasion, so they put it on him as a mark of honour.”
