Soccer World Cup 2022: The drama surrounding the decision to dress Lionel Messi in the traditional robe for a trophy presentation

Football fans and journalists worldwide were baffled by FIFA’s decision to cover Lionel Messi in black for the trophy presentation after Argentina beat France in a thrilling World Cup final.

Messi scored twice and was successful on penalties as Argentina won their third World Cup title and first since 1986.

When Messi went to pick up the World Cup trophy as captain of the winners at the end of the trophy presentation, he wore the Arabic robe known as Bisht by Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar. FIFA president Gianni Infantino was beside the Emir as he presented Messi with the trophy.

That means Messi’s Argentina jersey, which Adidas announced over the weekend sold out worldwide, was covered up for the biggest moment in Argentine football in more than 36 years.

Something a little odd about Messi wearing Bisht, the black robe worn by Qatar’s emir before lifting the World Cup, writes journalist Tariq Panja.

Qatar wants this to be his moment as much as Messi and Argentina.

Journalist Will Martin added: Getting Messi to wear the cape is downright grim. Summing up everything that’s wrong with this World Cup.

Can’t believe Messi finally won the World Cup and was forced to wear the cape to lift the trophy. Don’t do it, wrote author Si Lloyd.

Fox Sports commentator Brenton Speed ​​called for a repeat of the ceremony, can they do it again now without giving Messi the mantle for God’s sake!

Football administrator and lawyer Nicola Palios stated it was a strange idea to make Messi wear the black robe to lift a trophy.

Ruining what should be an iconic photo by making it look like a Harry Potter extra.

Surely any player who lifted the World Cup would want to do it in his country’s colours?

Laurie Whitwell, journalist for The Athletic, said that the decision to dress Messi in Arabic robes was too indulgent.

Qatar clearly wanted to be present in World Cup trophy photos, hence placing the black bisht on Messi, Whitwell wrote.

But only made for a weird and unnecessary look in a sea of ​​blue and white tracksuit t-shirts. This should be a moment for the players, not the hosts.

Messi quickly disrobed after the presentation.