It was a hell of World Cup final yesterday with Argentina becoming 3x champions and Messi cementing his status as one of the best players ever, but for some people, this moment was tainted by what occurred during Argentina’s trophy lift.
As Messi prepared to lift the trophy, he was draped in a black bisht – a traditional men’s cloak in the Arab world – by the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. The bisht covered part of Messi’s Argentina shirt, including the national badge, and fans are upset that these historic photos will now forever symbolise whose World Cup this was and what it was really about = Qatari $$$.
Even the BBC pundits were annoyed by it, with Pablo Zabaleta asking: “Just why? There’s no reason to do that” and Gary Lineker saying it was “a shame they’ve covered his shirt” during what was “a magic moment”. A lot of people are suggesting that Qatar wanted to make the moment all about them and their ‘ownership’ of the World Cup, but I’m not sure it’s quite as on the nose as that. Could be it was just the ruler of Qatar showing his respect to the GOAT. Have to admit, this edit looks absolutely badass, no matter what you think of the whole thing:
On the other hand, there is a touch of hypocrisy to the whole thing on FIFA’s end given how much they freaked out over the rainbow armbands earlier in the tournament. Maybe the winner of the 2026 World Cup in USA can be draped in a rainbow cape? Now that would be something.
P.S. Shout out to Emi Martinez for adding to the prestige of the moment. What a guy:
For a look at the outrageous tattoo that Richarlison got following Brazil’s World Cup exit, click HERE.
