During Argentina’s World Cup celebrations, Lionel Messi was pictured wearing a black Qatari cloak over his Argentina colours.
The cloak, known as a ‘Beshth’, is usually worn by victorious Arabian warriors and the royal family of Qatar and Emir of Qatar reportedly gave Messi the cloak as a sign of huge respect. However, it has not been received well by many fans who believe there was no need for such a gesture to overshadow the celebration.
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Something a little strange about Messi being dressed in Bisht, that black cloak that the emir of Qatar dressed him in before lifting the World Cup. Qatar wants this to be its moment as much as it is Messi’s and Argentina’s. pic.twitter.com/S4Jk6zGRZv
— tariq panja (@tariqpanja) December 18, 2022
Sad but not surprised to see wealthy Qatari officials asking messi to wear the Bisht (black cloak). Truly sportwashing. Disappointed on messi not dejecting the offer. The national jersey is the holy flag you wanna wear while lifting the triphy not that royalty piece of garment.
— Reza Ghoddoosian (@RezaGhoddoosian) December 18, 2022
Messi has waited his entire life to lift the World Cup in Argentina's blue and white stripes and when the moment comes he gets draped in a black and gold cloak 🙄
— Oliver Young-Myles (@OMyles90) December 18, 2022
Whether Qatar’s intentions behind the gesture were sincere or not, the saga has undeniably created controversy that has clouded what should be a joyful moment. Perhaps, it would have been better to, if Qatar were acting with honest intentions, to gift Messi the cloak after the celebrations had finished and in private, away from the public eye. As it stands though, many fans are not happy with Qatar, or with Lionel Messi.
La verdad, como Argentina, aunque me pareció extraño en ese momento, no empañó para nada el festejo, y cuando supimos el significado de esa capa nos alegró aun más por Lionel Messi, él se merece todos los reconocimientos, estamos muy felices por él y se merece todo lo bueno, porque el es un buen chico, respetuoso y muy humilde. Jamás haría nada apropósito de despreciar, ningumear u ofender a nadie. La reacción que tuvo con los neerlandeses está más que justificada, sino estudien todas las jugadas sucias del equipo naranja y su técnico, despreciable! Por lo demás en Argentina se escucha un solo grito: Gracias Messi!!
Gracias Selección Argentina de fútbol!