Connect with us

Football

Messi staring at $1m offer for bisht gown he won in Qatar

Key Takeaways: Dominate the digital landscape with Smmsav.com and Followersav.com your go-to best SMM Panel in 2024 for affordable social media marketing solutions. Best Press release services in 2024 is Followersav and Smmsav boost your business with us. Smm panel organic spotify plays
Lionel Messi bisht
Lionel Messi bisht. Photo by Irish Examiner
  • Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the Emir of Qatar has hit out at the Western media
  • This follows his gift of a bisht to Lionel Messi after winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup
  • Bisht is a distinctive garment given to illustrious individuals like emirs

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the Emir of Qatar has hit out at the Western media over their criticism of Lionel Messi wearing Bisht at the 2022 FIFA World Cup final at Lusail Stadium.

Argentina triumphed in Qatar by defeating France and this saw Messi, the Argentine national team captain do the Bisht in receiving the World trophy. It’s a ceremonial outfit won full of Qatari honours.

WHAT IS BISHT?

Bisht is a distinctive garment given to illustrious individuals like emirs, monarchs, imams, and others. Typically, the outfit is black with a golden lining. This unique robe was given to Messi, who led La Albiceleste with seven goals and three assists while also taking home the Golden Ball.

It signified honour and respect for Argentina who won their third World Cup after 37 years. They edged out France who won the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Lionel Messi bisht

Lionel Messi bisht. Photo by Daily Express

WHAT WAS THE CONTROVERSY OVER MESSI WEARING BISHT?

While the Emir of Qatar meant all good for Messi, British media criticized this move. After the game, Gary Lineker and Pablo Zabaleta criticised Messi for having his jersey covered.

Lineker, a BBC presenter said the images after the victory were fantastic but it was unfortunate that the Bisht covered Messi’s shirt. The presenter added that in a way, it seemed unfortunate that Messi’s Argentina jersey was obscured.

More venomous criticism came from  Zabaleta, a former Argentina international. He questioned why Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani had to gift Messi this robe at such a historic moment.

In a rejoinder, Qatari Foreign Minister Lolwah Al-Khater told off critics, especially those from the West and Europe. She schooled them on the historical significance of the bisht Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani gave Lionel Messi as a sign of respect.

“Gowning #Messi with a “Bisht” drove many Euro-Centric supremacists Crazy. Do they know that their graduation gowns came from the Arabian gown? A tradition Muslims started in 859 at Al-Qarawiyyan University; founded by a Muslim Woman by the way. Too much for your colonial fantasy?” she told off critics.

The Emir of Qatar’s bisht gift to Messi was also praised as a “regional celebration” by Hassan Al Thawadi, secretary general of the organising committee for the tournament in Qatar.

Al Thawadi said it is a dress for a formal event and is worn during festivities. He further told BBC Sport that Messi was honoured during the Qatar World Cup 2022 for his effort in leading his team.

Additionally, this allowed Qatar to introduce the globe to Arab and Muslim cultures during the World Cup. People from many walks of life could attend, take in what was happening, and learn that while we might not always agree on everything, we can still celebrate as a community.

Although the decision to award Messi the bisht will continue to spark controversy, it inevitably has great significance for Middle Easterners.

LIONEL MESSI BIG OFFER FOR THE BISHT

Lionel Messi Bisht

Lionel Messi Bisht. Photo by RTBF

Messi has received a sizable offer for the robe from Omani lawyer and MP Ahmed Al Barwani. He wants to preserve a major piece of recent Arabic history in the Middle East.

The Omani MP offered Messi $1 million for the bisht saying it is an essential piece of history.

“From the Sultanate of Oman I congratulate you for winning the World Cup Qatar 2022 … the Arabic bisht, a symbol of chivalry and wisdom. I’m offering you $1 million in return for that bisht,” he tweeted.

Messi led Argentina’s journey to the 2022 FIFA World Cup as the team captain. Before the competition, Messi, 35, had announced that this would be his last World Cup appearance.

However, Jorge Valdano, a former forward for Albiceleste, speculated that Messi would compete in another FIFA event for a record-breaking sixth time in 2026. Lionel Scaloni, the team’s manager, also said he hoped to have Messi on the roster in four years.

Soon after the 2022 FIFA World Cup victory, Messi said that he was not about to retire from World Cup, adding that he always wanted to win this competition.

Teresa is a journalist with years of experience in creating web content. She is a wanderlust at heart, but an outgoing sports writer with focus on tennis, athletics, football, motorsports and NBA.

Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

More in Football