Drama has surrounded the choice to decorate Lionel Messi in a standard Arabic gown as he lifted the World Cup trophy that cemented his identify in soccer’s historical past books.
The soccer legend performed a central function as Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties after a frantic 120 minutes of World Cup remaining motion which completed 3-3 in Qatar.
Messi scored twice in the course of the sport after which slotted his penalty in the course of the shootout.
The 35-year-old Paris Saint-Germain celebrity then stepped up after the sport to carry the trophy on behalf of his nation.
However simply earlier than his superb second he was handed an Arabic gown referred to as a Bisht to put on in the course of the presentation.
Messi wore the gown whereas jubilantly lifting the trophy, with photos of the second immortalised alongside his achievement.
Watch the world’s finest footballers each week with beIN SPORTS on Kayo. LIVE protection from Bundesliga, Ligue 1, Serie A, Carabao Cup, EFL & SPFL. New to Kayo? Begin your free trial now >
The gown was given out as an indication of respect by Qatar Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, nevertheless the gesture didn’t go down nicely with many onlookers.
“One thing somewhat unusual about Messi being wearing Bisht, that black cloak that the emir of Qatar dressed him in earlier than lifting the World Cup,” journalist Tariq Panja wrote.
“Qatar needs this to be its second as a lot as it’s Messi’s and Argentina’s.”
Journalist Will Martin was in settlement, writing: “Making Messi put on that gown is totally grim. Sums up the whole lot fallacious with this World Cup.”
“Can’t consider Messi lastly wins the World Cup and is made to placed on a gown to carry the trophy. You simply don’t try this,” creator Si Lloyd wrote.
Whereas Fox Sports activities commentator Brenton Velocity known as for the ceremony to be carried out once more writing, “can they do the ceremony once more now with out giving Messi the gown… for goodness sake!”
Soccer administrator and lawyer Nicola Palios declared it was a “weird concept to make Messi put on a black gown to carry the trophy.
“Ruins what ought to have been an iconic picture by making him appear to be a Harry Potter additional.
“Certainly any participant lifting the World Cup needs to take action in his nation’s colors?”
Laurie Whitwell, journalist for The Athletic, mentioned that the choice to decorate Messi within the Arabic gown was “grossly indulgent”.
“Qatar clearly wished to be current within the World Cup trophy photos, therefore placing that black bisht on Messi,” Whitwell wrote.
“However simply made for an bizarre, pointless look amid a sea of blue and white sporting shirts.
It needs to be a second for the gamers, not the host.”
Nonetheless the drama was clearly the furthest factor from the little magician’s thoughts as he was seen absorbing his crowning second in absolute delight for hours after the win.
Messi additionally received the Golden Ball, given to the perfect participant at every World Cup, after he scored seven targets in complete to steer Argentina to glory.
Two of these got here within the remaining, along with his first coming from the penalty spot.
– With The Solar
