There was a unique scene at the trophy presentation after the World Cup final as Lionel Messi was draped in a black robe to lift the iconic piece of gold.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino and the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani draped the robe on the Argentina captain after the epic final against France which was won on penalties.
The robe is known as a bit which is a traditional piece of clothing in the Arab world that has been worn for thousands of years.
It is not an everyday piece of clothing, saved for special occasions like weddings and usually worn as a status symbol by the likes of the royal family and the wealthy.
The best has been the choice of formal wear for politicians, religious scholars, and high-ranking individuals in Arabian Gulf countries, Iraq, and countries north of Saudi Arabia. This traditional flowing cloak is meant to distinguish those who wear it. People say no cloth can provide the distinction of a hand-tailored bisht. This is why the art of bisht tailoring is a skill handed down from generation to generation.’
The presence of the bisht will forever be a reminder of where the 2022 World Cup was held, with the images of Messi lifting the World Cup trophy in traditional Arab garb.
